Xebra Electric Sedan - PhillyBlog

Colin P. Varga · #1 (**permalink**) 06-21-2008, 09:36 AM

Electric plug in cars cannot solve our energy problems but if they represented 10% of cars on the road the US would be more independent. The Xebra would not answer all of the consumers needs from a car, but as a vehicle for the consumer who needs a vehicle primarily to get to work this would work.

For taking the family on a vacation, rent a SUV to get you there and tow the Xebra.

http://www.zapworld.com/electric-veh...rs/xebra-sedan

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...oryId=91646154

GOP65 · #2 (**permalink**) 06-21-2008, 10:58 AM

This is the only electric car that would work for me.

http://www.teslamotors.com/index.php

Simon Wolf · #3 (**permalink**) 06-21-2008, 01:54 PM

Sadly, Zap is a ponzi scheme, selling vaporware:

http://www.wired.com/cars/futuretran...6-04/ff_zapped

I really want to see electrics on the road, if for no other reason than that it would be better to produce our pollution at a few power plants where it can be easily treated than have millions of pollution-generating cars on the road.

I'd also love to see some electrics that don't look like utter ass. As I said in the other thread, it will be interesting to see what Tesla has up its sleeve, as the founder has hinted that he's looking to start the next GM, not simply to make sports cars for rich people.

Colin P. Varga · #4 (**permalink**) 06-21-2008, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon Wolf

Sadly, Zap is a ponzi scheme, selling vaporware:

http://www.wired.com/cars/futuretran...6-04/ff_zapped

I really want to see electrics on the road, if for no other reason than that it would be better to produce our pollution at a few power plants where it can be easily treated than have millions of pollution-generating cars on the road.

I'd also love to see some electrics that don't look like utter ass. As I said in the other thread, it will be interesting to see what Tesla has up its sleeve, as the founder has hinted that he's looking to start the next GM, not simply to make sports cars for rich people.

I have no connection to Zap I just thought the story was interesting. Electric cars could replace some gas cars. Probably many postal vehicles could be replaced, the PPA doesn't need gas powered engines, and so forth.

I gotta go Dae Joyoung is on.

Simon Wolf · #5 (**permalink**) 06-22-2008, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colin P. Varga

I have no connection to Zap I just thought the story was interesting. Electric cars could replace some gas cars. Probably many postal vehicles could be replaced, the PPA doesn't need gas powered engines, and so forth.

Wasn't trying to do any finger-pointing; just bring the Wired article to your attention. I was shocked when I read it, as Wired generally doesn't go after people hammer and tongs like that.

I definietly agree that electrics could be used for a lot of things even today. I just wish that there were people out there pushing them that were actually trying to sell electric cars, not sucker people.

alesis · #6 (**permalink**) 06-22-2008, 01:37 AM

Wow. That article is crazy. I read about the company sometime ago, and never knew they were up to such shenanigans.

Wired has had some great articles recently, and its one of the few magazines I have a subscription for.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon Wolf

Sadly, Zap is a ponzi scheme, selling vaporware:

http://www.wired.com/cars/futuretran...6-04/ff_zapped

I really want to see electrics on the road, if for no other reason than that it would be better to produce our pollution at a few power plants where it can be easily treated than have millions of pollution-generating cars on the road.

I'd also love to see some electrics that don't look like utter ass. As I said in the other thread, it will be interesting to see what Tesla has up its sleeve, as the founder has hinted that he's looking to start the next GM, not simply to make sports cars for rich people.

Colin P. Varga · #7 (**permalink**) 06-22-2008, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon Wolf

Wasn't trying to do any finger-pointing; just bring the Wired article to your attention. I was shocked when I read it, as Wired generally doesn't go after people hammer and tongs like that.

I definietly agree that electrics could be used for a lot of things even today. I just wish that there were people out there pushing them that were actually trying to sell electric cars, not sucker people.

I just wanted to make my intentions clearer. Before I posted on here I did check out news about Zap and the Wired article didn't come up. Everything seemed positive; however, if you search: zap, "electric cars", scam. Lotsa stuff comes up.

dlsh · #8 (**permalink**) 06-22-2008, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colin P. Varga

Electric plug in cars cannot solve our energy problems but if they represented 10% of cars on the road the US would be more independent. The

I believe personal cars will have to follow fleets in regards to alternate energy due to fueling stations. With fleets the companies/governments that operate them have the ability to control and scale their operations so that it makes sense financially. This includes either building out their own or (better yet) getting other companies to build the refueling stations by offering long term contracts. Electric probably isn't as big of an issue, except for things like parking at work which would require an extension cord....

UPS as an example:
http://www.pressroom.ups.com/mediaki...5,1224,00.html
1,000 compressed natural gas vehicles
709 propane-powered vehicles
11 LNG tractor-trailers
1 electric vehicle in Manhattan -
"...electric vehicle technology is now viable for vehicles that operate short distances per day and allow for periods of recharging to the system..."

Malloy · #9 (**permalink**) 06-22-2008, 04:39 PM

The made in China ZapCar (mega profit margin **** wagons) are absolute CRAP.

random · #10 (**permalink**) 06-22-2008, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colin P. Varga

Electric plug in cars cannot solve our energy problems but if they represented 10% of cars on the road the US would be more independent.

You do realize that there's more to producing and distributing electricity than plugging in your extension cord, right?

Until we develop alternative sources of energy, it all comes from basically the same place. Oil and natural gas. Coal (with its own set of environmental issues).

Solar, wind and nuclear aren't even on the radar.

With a world market for fossil fuels, unless we develop alternative sources, we will never be independent. Energy goes to the highest bidder. Doesn't matter where it's produced.