Take Look it this

[427 S/O]

http://www.zapworld.com/electric-vehicle...

IMHO...This little company might succeed, seems like a great little car
for local commutes and school kids. I've been watching a few of these
companies hoping one would have generous miles between charges.

[427 S/O]

The link is a little screwy, I'm referring to the ZAP-X, four wheel compact.

Here's the corrected link...

[Joe Wicked]

Interesting, something like that for a local daily driver would have advantages. I am curious though what were the conditions for the 350 miles before a charge is needed. In the city stop and go traffic how long does it last? What charge is left after 1 hour in stop and go? Definitely a step forward in electric car technology though. I would also like to see a cost study done on the cost difference between an economy car and this. Including purchase price, maintenance costs, fuel cost (gas vs electricity used to charge), as well as life expectancy before major replacement parts are needed.

[427 S/O]

I'm sure all those questions will be answered but, I do not know?. The $25K
seems a little high and I would also like to know the long term cost compared to a gas compact car. We'll see.....

[Joe Wicked]

Originally Posted by 427 S/O

I'm sure all those questions will be answered but, I do not know?. The $25K
seems a little high and I would also like to know the long term cost compared to a gas compact car. We'll see.....

I didn't see the cost. For 25K, vs a civic starting at just under 16K, the cost difference in Fuel costs for me would likely be close to a break even in 7 years. This is factoring in assumed values for operating costs. The next thing to look at is power windows, etc... Once you start adding that stuff, the price difference goes down quickly. A Civic hybrid starts at 22,500. Not much difference at all in price. I expect the days of high horsepower gas cars are nearing the end, except for collector/specialty cars. A couple of years ago, I predicted that in 50 years, hybrid cars will be the most common car on the streets with a good amount of electric only cars. Any car designed for travel will likely be a hybrid as you will not have to stop and recharge, but I see hybrids that the only use for the engine is to charge batteries. A small, maybe 2 cylinder, gas engine to turn a generator.

[fsstnotch]

That's pretty cool. It actually has an attractive LOOK to it which is a big change over the recent tries at a fuel efficient car. I would be interested in the stop and go stuff.. but also recharging and repair costs. If I go on a trip that is 500 miles, is the gas station going to let me plug my car in for 10 minutes? Will I have to run a long extension cord from my hotel room? haha Are the replacement batteries $8,000? What are their life span? If all this stuff looked good... I'd buy one!

[Joe Wicked]

Originally Posted by fsstnotch

That's pretty cool. It actually has an attractive LOOK to it which is a big change over the recent tries at a fuel efficient car. I would be interested in the stop and go stuff.. but also recharging and repair costs. If I go on a trip that is 500 miles, is the gas station going to let me plug my car in for 10 minutes? Will I have to run a long extension cord from my hotel room? haha Are the replacement batteries $8,000? What are their life span? If all this stuff looked good... I'd buy one!

That is where the true cost comes in. I am willing to bet that this car would not be worth the cost, but it is a first in the line of electric only cars that are capable. Battery technologies have changed greatly in the last few years, so maybe it is better than I imagine.

[fsstnotch]

Better get some pad locks for your outdoor power receptacles! haha I can just see it now, $400 monthly electric bills here I come!

[427 S/O]

A honda EU1000ior the EU200i generator (small) might be the ticket if your in the boonies.

[Joe Wicked]

Originally Posted by 427 S/O

A honda EU1000ior the EU200i generator (small) might be the ticket if your in the boonies.

Good idea. You can start up the generator when you stop to eat and recharge the car.

[fsstnotch]

I like the idea.. but now I've got an electric car that I have to pack gas and a generator in the back? haha I couldn't even imagine the looks at red lobster when I pull up.. pop the back and pull a generator out to charge my car! haha

[427 S/O]

Come on guy's, how many miles do you average in a day?, I'm sure some of you have a job that requires a lot of miles but, I would guess that overall, the average in the USA is somewhere around 50. I'll bet some analyst or organization has already done this.

[427 S/O]

I ran across a -do it yourself- club where these folks would convert small cars and trucks to total electric. They used electric starters from jet aircraft and kits were available to hook up the starter to your drive system...I almost started to convert a ford ranger but, glad I waited. With the almost daily improvements in battery technology, it won't be long before we all have a 'real' option.
It's amazing how gas prices will bring out the best in those garage tinkerers.

[Joe Wicked]

Oh, the average day, I am sure that this will be enough for me, but about once a month I drive about 200 miles in city traffic. That is the scenario that I wonder about. Obviously that could be a day for a different car, but there are other situations as well, road trips, etc...


Another thought is a solar panel charger.

[CHANMADD]

I like this little car from the same people.looks like a lot of money though.
http://www.zapworld.com/electric-veh...ars/obvio-012e

[BMK]

Mmmm may get a lead out and throw it over the fence into the neighbours pool pump power outlet..

Already for the arrival of the car..

[427 S/O]

I wonder what a battery charger actually draws?.