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Craig Hill
Oracle of DelphiThe Zap Alias Electric Car may not park in 2009?
February 2nd 2008 02:23
Zap Alias Electric Car an unrealistic schedule?
The Zap Alias E.T.A 2009
Electric cars are nothing new, in fact in the early days of auto pioneering the electric car dominated. The battle for superiority on the roads was eventually won by the petrol driven internal combustion engine, largely due to behind closed doors wheeling and dealing.
In 1996 the Electric was set for a return to the market with the GM’s EV1 turning up on the roads in California. Sadly a combination of auto makers self sabotaging, a lack of consumer awareness and inevitable corporate kick backs rendered its early extinction.
Now with the community crying out for more environmentally responsible alternatives to combat global warming/cooling (nature again proves its universal balance), peak oil and dependence on foreign suppliers car manufacturers are taking development more seriously.
Meet the $100,000 competition. The Tesla Roadster
Leading this technological race is the $100,000, high performance Tesla Roadster. A bit pricey for the average Joe, news of the Zap Alias sportster seems to be the everyman’s light at the end of the rainbow.
Scheduled for a 2009 debut, speculation is now rife that the 321.85 horse power three wheeled sports mobile may be delayed. Sceptics are saying that it’s overzealous to think the release date will be met considering that Zap has only just began development with financial constraints in mind.
The Zap Alias Concept and on the right the XR3 from Riley.
According to an article on Wired.com the reason for the claim is that even big auto manufacturers like Toyota and GM take 3-5 years from drawing board to final product even with a prototype in place.
Countering on Wired.com Zap chairman Albert lam says "Looking at our initial project-development plan and our discussion with a number of key engineering and technology partners, I believe we can go into production by the second quarter of 2009,"
So the California company remains optimistic that there flashy voltage driven promise can be met while many in the industry remain unconvinced. Premature or not it is reassuring to know that the development continues.
Here are the Zap Alias vital statistics from the official website.
General Info
Front wheel drive
•Wheel motors X 2
•Pure EV
•Motors: 2 x PML 15.75 inches (400 mm)
- Peak Power – 321.85 Horsepower (240 kW) total
- Peak Torque – 557.52 lb/ft (756 Nm)
- Max Revs - 2100 rpm
- Water cooled
•Performance
0 – 60 mph ( 96.56 Km/h): 5.7 seconds
Vmax: 156 mph (251.06 Km/h)
EV range: 100 miles (160.9 kilometer)
• Vehicle kerb mass: 1612.6 lbs (733 kg)
Safety
ZAP-3 Homologated as a motorcycle
•Recommended safety requirements to provide enhanced safety features
compared with a conventional motorcycle
–Seatbelt provision
–Vehicle structure features
•Roll hoop
–Consideration of other enhanced safety features
•CAE will guide the development of structural safety solutions
Here is a brief look at what the Alias could deliver
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Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
Not bad, but for me personally 'it still needs electricity' ... and my daughters wheelchair would never fit in the back.*lol*
I'd still be looking at those new cars in India that run on air ... and they are ute-like too.
I guess this will fill a richman's niche though and it looks great!
Lilla ...
Comment by Dexter
It's the performance that impresses me.
Electric cars may not solve the reliance on oil, but at least the toxic emissions are removed. Will be interesting to see what emerges in the next few years regarding air and water powered mobiles.
Thanks for dropping in and sharing a thoughtful response
Comment by High Return Investing
Comment by Dexter
Thanks for the tip.
Comment by Anonymous