Electric car advice

[jitterbug]

:waccosun:

I'm thinking about getting a Zap car to drive around town and to Santa Rosa. I'm looking for input from anyone who lives in or near Sebastopol about routing to Santa Rosa.

The car goes up to 40 MPH and I'm told that it's not a good idea to drive it on Hwy. 12. Based on where I live, it could work for me to drive Hwy. 12 to just past Llano and then take Irwin to Occidental to Fulton to 3rd Street.

Taking High School Road to Occidental would make the trip a lot longer for me.

If anyone out there is driving a Zap and has some input for me on practical routing to Santa Rosa, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks!

Debbie

[Karl Frederick]

Debbie,

I like your thought, but don't see a reasonable way to make the trip from Sebastopol to Santa Rosa in that car. For safety and courtesy, I wouldn't drive at 40 mph in a 50 mph zone. And for safety, vehicle reliability, and driving range, I would not run the car at its top speed of 40 mph for more than a few seconds at a time. I don't see a way to get to Santa Rosa in that car without jeopardizing yourself, others, or the vehicle.

Good luck!

Karl


:waccosun:

I'm thinking about getting a Zap car to drive around town and to Santa Rosa. I'm looking for input from anyone who lives in or near Sebastopol about routing to Santa Rosa.

The car goes up to 40 MPH and I'm told that it's not a good idea to drive it on Hwy. 12. Based on where I live, it could work for me to drive Hwy. 12 to just past Llano and then take Irwin to Occidental to Fulton to 3rd Street.

Taking High School Road to Occidental would make the trip a lot longer for me.

If anyone out there is driving a Zap and has some input for me on practical routing to Santa Rosa, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks!

Debbie

[CSummer]

Have you talked with the folks at ThunderStruck Motors or eMotors - in the old Ford dealership in Sebastopol? They're in the EV (electric vehicle) business and could probably advise you on the Zap car and alternatives.

Good luck!



:waccosun:

I'm thinking about getting a Zap car to drive around town and to Santa Rosa. I'm looking for input from anyone who lives in or near Sebastopol about routing to Santa Rosa.

The car goes up to 40 MPH and I'm told that it's not a good idea to drive it on Hwy. 12. Based on where I live, it could work for me to drive Hwy. 12 to just past Llano and then take Irwin to Occidental to Fulton to 3rd Street.

Taking High School Road to Occidental would make the trip a lot longer for me.

If anyone out there is driving a Zap and has some input for me on practical routing to Santa Rosa, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks!

Debbie

[joelmeyn]

I would suggest you search for a used EV. There are a number of cars for sale that were converted from gas to electric by the owner or a professional. I have been driving electric since 2004. My vehicle is a Solectria Force. The top speed is 70 mph.I paid $13,000 in 2004, and prices are lower now in the depressed economy. You can look for used cars on the internet: EV Tradin' Post. Join a group on Yahoo for Solectria owners The suggestion about going to Blue Sky is good. They had a Sparrow (1 passenger EV) for about $10,000. Brian at Thunderstruck Motors can help with technical advice
-Joel and Sparky the wondercar

[Dixon]

Brian at Thunderstruck Motors can help with technical advice.

Yeah, my old buddy Brian Hall at Thunderstruck Motors is a great guy as well as an expert on electric and other alternative fuel (biodiesel, etc.) vehicles. He can direct you to a new vehicle that'll meet your needs or re-rig your existing vehicle. Talk to Brian!