Plans for $30K electric sports car unveiled

An electric car manufacturer has announced plans for a new car that will be able to top 100 miles per hour and do 0 to 60 in just 5.7 seconds - and all for a cost of just $30,000.


California-based ZAP, which stands for Zero Air Pollution, said the three-wheeled Alias will have a range of at least 150 miles per charge and could go into production as early as spring 2009.

More details of the project are set to be announced at the National Automobile Dealers Association conference in California, which begins this weekend, and motorists can already reserve one of the cars for a $5,000 deposit on ZAP’s website.

Company bosses said the goal of the project was to bring an affordable electric vehicle to the market quickly to capitalise on growing interest in electric car technologies.

There are also plans to offer options such as fast charging and a hybrid range extender.

“Everyone who has seen the Alias says they want to buy one,” said ZAP CEO Steve Schneider.

“The performance goals are attainable because the pace of new technology is accelerating.

“We have worked with Lotus Engineering during the initial phase of the development project and shall again be looking forward to their support.”

The Alias concept was born last year after ZAP and Lotus Engineering worked together on a feasibility study on next generation electric vehicle technologies.

ZAP said the two companies are also working on plans for a high-performance crossover SUV electric car called ZAP-X, which it expects to sell for $60,000.

ZAP’s current range includes the Xebra and the Zapino, and it has sold more than 100,000 vehicles in more than 75 countries.

Kate Martin

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