After considerable thought and years of discussion I have elected to purchase an electric car. It is a production model and 100% electric. I feel gratified after taking such a beating with the price of oil and gasoline during the administration of Bush, Jr. Paying over $4 a gallon was especially hard. Once when I filled my car up, it cost over $90.
The car is made by the Zap Corporation of Santa Rosa, California. It is made in China and final assembly takes place here in the US. It is a Xebra model, a 4 door sedan, with a three wheel design. The one I picked has had an upgrade that will allow it to travel 45 mph and go about 50 miles. I am toying with the idea of a personalized license plate that says "zaplin".
The upgrade brings an additional battery onboard, which increases the available voltage to 84 volts. There is an additional charger and controller for the battery. Since it has the tricycle design, it insures as a motorcycle for only $192/year, with full comprehensive, collision, uninsured motorist, etc. This compares with around $600/year for the Ford.
So, if you include the vehicle payment for the loan to purchase it, the insurance, and "fuel" for 200 miles a month, the entire cost to operate the electric car balances at what I'm currently paying for only gasoline for my Ford Explorer. This doesn't include what I'm paying for Ford insurance, repairs, or loan (it's paid for). By not driving the Ford, the money for Ford fuel goes right into the Xebra fund and it's the cheapest car I've ever had. It actually equals my gasoline bills alone to buy and insure and operate the Xebra.
The dealer in Seattle insisted on installing fresh batteries before he delivered it to the ferry terminal in Bellingham. As another plus, since the car is under 10 feet (it's 10 feet and a smidge) it travels on the ferry system as a motorcycle, which is about half the charge for a regular car. To barge it from Seattle would cost about $600. To ferry it - as a motorcycle - is only $305.
Any way you look at it, for island hops in Ketchikan, this vehicle makes financial sense and meets my needs. I will pick it up tomorrow morning at 7:30 when the Alaska ferry arrives from Bellingham. Yeehaw and wahoo!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
This article is so interesting, informative and draws lot of attention from readers. Thanks author. Let’s keep it up. By the way, we would like to let you know about our company: Premium Travel Vietnam (PTV) is a professional, leading tour operator based in Da Nang city – central Vietnam. Our office is at 21 Che Lan Vien Str, Ngu Hanh Son Dist, Da Nang city. We have been in the tourism industry for many years and with a comprehensive experience in this field, we are proud to be one of the best travel agents in Da Nang in particular and in Vietnam in general. centralvietnampackagetour . Everyday,we provide tourists with all tour packages, holiday deals, vacations, private trips to all sightseeings, historical sites in Vietnam such as Ha Long bay, Thang Long Citadel, Ho Dynasty Citadel, Trang An Landscape Complex, Hoi An ancient town, My Son Holyland, Hue ancient capital, Phong Nha National Park. Besides, Vietnam is not only well known on the world map but the people are so friendly, warm hearted and welcoming. Today, there are more and more people coming to visit Vietnam, especially central Vietnam. There are many popular tourist spots here that attract lots of visitors including My Son Sanctuary, Hoi An Ancient Town, Marble Mountains, Cham Museum, Ba Na Hills, Hue city with Hue Citadel, Thien Mu Pagoda, Royal Tombs, DMZ, Phong Nha National Park. viettours .The numer of tourists coming to central Vietnam is more rapidly rising up. In order to meet the demand of customers coming to sightseeing central Vietnam, we, Premium Travel Vietnam, therefore organise Central Vietnam Package Tour. Being a part in this tour, you have a chance to explore all UNESCO sites in central Vietnam, having a deep understanding into the local culture, lifestyle, local food. Let’s come with us and we will make your trip a special and memorable one. mysontours. Besides, our company also arranges package tours, private tours or day tours to Phong Nha National Park. A new tourist destination of central Vietnam in Quang Binh province. So, let’s come and explore amazing, fantastic caves and impressive nature as well as spectacular stalactities, stalagmites at Phong Nha Park with Phong Nha Pioneer Travel. For more information, details and assistance about this tour, kindly contact us at premiumvietnamtravel@gmail.com or whatsapp us at 0084979613777. We are very pleased to serve you and be a reliable partner to you.
ReplyDelete