ZAP X Crossover EV

By Eric Boyd on December 4, 2007 1:19 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Tags:

EV,

PML Flightlink,

ZAP,

ZAP X

ZAP is most known for their neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs), low speed cars suitable for use on campus or in other speed-restricted areas. Recently they have been making waves with announcements of higher speed and higher performance EVs, including this concept car, the ZAP X Crossover EV, which is engineered by Lotus. Of course, ZAP is famously in debt and notorious for press releases which lead to nothing, but if they are truly developing this vehicle as described it's a world changing car. Check out our new page on the ZAP X Crossover EV

Short Description: 4-seat EV, 644 HP, 350 mile range
Availability & Cost: ~$60k, late 2008

Background and Details

Based on Lotus Aluminum Performance Crossover, except that weighted 3641 lbs.
Nanosolar windows claimed - but no info on watts, etc.
PML Flightlink in-wheel motors are not in production - they are currently handmade. See: QED Mini concept car
Magic batteries - who makes them?
It seems unlikely this car would meet the "production capable" rules of the AXP. Cost is likely to be very high
Suspiciously, ZAP has started engineering on three other high-speed EVs, and has stated that they may become available before the ZAP-X - before 2008?!?
ZAP often makes announcements with no followup... you be the judge of whether they are likely to make this or any other high-speed EV (Alias, Obvio 828e, Obvio 012e)
ZAP is an official AXP Competitor - they may enter multiple vehicles. Almost any EV will reach 100 MPGe.
References: ZAP-X Wikipedia Treehugger Lotus PML Flightlink ZAP vaporware ZAP debt OTC:ZAAP

Vehicle Stats

AXP MPGe	? est. ~100
Weight	2734 lbs
L x W x H (ft)	15.3 x 6.7 x ?
HP	644 HP peak
0-60 MPH	4.8 seconds
Top Speed	155 MPH
Range	350 miles
Battery Info	? lithium 9,000 life cycles
Charge Time	as little as 10 min (!)
Motor	4 in-wheel motors from PML Flightlink
Cd x Frontal Area	? x ? ft^2