KMPH Fox 26 Central San Joaquin Valley News Source in Fresno, California Entertainment, News, Sports and Weather | It's Electric... The Car That Is

It's Electric... The Car That Is

By: Dani Carlson & Charlene Lee

One Visalia business is taking high gas prices head on. G and M Used Cars in Visalia has started selling "Zap" electric cars and trucks.

G and M's owner Mike Brackett said he traded in his Lamborghini for a Zap car, and said he hasn't filled his gas tank for the past two months.

"This is a way of fighting back against high gas prices," said Brackett.

Brackett is selling the candy colored cars for $10,999, and said you can get them in different colors, some less attention grabbing than the aquamarine and neon green ones on Brackett's lot right now. But you can also get zebra stripes too.

"You'd better like attention, that's all I can say," said Brackett.

But it's not just the neon colors and unusual design that's getting all the attention. The cars and trucks are fully-electric "zap" vehicles.

Brackett said they can go 25 to 40 miles, virtually silently, after only one charge.

You can plug a Zap car into any typical 110-volt outlet, and Brackett said these days with electric prices the cars only cost about one to three cents a mile to run.

"This is a great way to go green and protect the environment," said Brackett.

The Zap cars are only about half the weight of regular cars. And since they don't have gas engines, Brackett said you'll never need to get an oil change or a tune up again.

The whole idea appealed to car shopper Mary Ellen Ramirez.

"It makes me feel like we're finally turning the corner. Technology is finally coming where it's supposed to," said Ramirez.

But if it sounds too good to be true, here's a reality check. Although the Zaps do have heat, they do not have air conditioning. They also only reach a top speed of 45 miles per hour and are not highway safe.

Brackett said the next "Zap" vehicle generation will be more like regular cars, but will also carry a regular car price tag.

Brackett said he's already sold four of the electric cars from his Visalia shop and hopes that number will go up as the gas prices continue to go up as well.