We will post our experiences with ZAP and our new 2008 Xebra PK Truck. Also our review of the ZAP Xebra PK all electric truck here. Please check back often!!
All Electric 2008 Xebra PK Truck
Small Trips first, just a few miles then back home to charge up, then after a full charge we take a longer trip and gradually increase the range.
Our fist difficulty is our driveway and steep street leading to our drive. At more than a 30% slope it proves to be a serious challenge for the unconditioned batteries in the new Xebra. The fit and finish is poor, to be nice. We see issues everywhere, I know its “Cheap” but some of these things are embarrassing. Small details seem to be forgotten about at ZAP. The headliner and the windshield rubber don’t line up very well. The door rubbers are way to big and rub the interior door panel thus making the door want to pop back open, obviously causing the door wear issues other 2006 and 2007 Zap users are experiencing. The leather seats came dirty! Big black marks on them, and it looks like the passenger side door / fender area rubbed at one time and a very poor bondo job was done. Then someone sprayed some paint that almost matched on the spot. Humm well, so far we love our new EV but it seams no one checked this over at Zap before they loaded it on the trailer and sent it to us.
ZAP’s customer service seems lacking at this point as we are having issues getting them to respond. No real dealer network and the ZAP staff leaves much to be desired 🙁 .
Once we have some time with the Truck we will post all of our news about this Great New All Electric Truck.. More to come Pic’s to. About time!
Less Oil More Green!
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Update 7/24/08
WOW, after driving for the last 3 weeks in our new EV. The ZAP Xebra PK Truck we have quite alot to report.
ZAP Seriously Lacks Customer Service
The first most serious concern we have is the fact that the vehicle had 40 miles on the odometer upon delivery. We have asked ZAP several times for an explanation as to this and have only been told by our dealer SloEgo that “a few miles is normal and that 40 seems excessive”. Upon further investigation we have discovered that the odometer is not accurate in the vehicle. It seems to add about 1 mile for every 4 miles actually driven. This would help explain 40 miles on a truck that no one had driven before. However, that does not explain the obvious body damage and poor repair job on the passenger side front right quarter panel door intersection. It appears someone attempted to fix the door rubbing and maybe a door ding before the truck was shipped to us.
Later we started hearing a very persistent squeak when the vehicle was driven about 8 miles or more. Upon raising the rear end up and allowing the tires to free spin we discovered the rear left (drivers side) CV boot was improperly seated. After re-seating the CV Joint and re-torquing the squeak has stopped.
This vehicle has also had issues with the drivers side door latch mechanisms failing when the door lock is depressed. Upon investigation we had to open up the door panel and then disassemble the entire latch and door handle lock system. Then we found we needed to bend the lock tab on the door latch mechanisms to the appropriate angle to fix this issue.
Also, today we learned that the Xebra does not qualify for the State of California’s EV rebate! As ZAP has it advertised on their web site. And the State of California also seems to think that the Xebra does meet the States qualifications. However this is not true, unless you spend another $750 for an extended warranty on the battery pack! Why is this not made clear to the State of California and to ZAP dealers & customers? We bought the 2008 Xebra PK EV thinking it did qualify for the EV rebate as advertised. This is a serious breach of trust ZAP!!!
When we called and asked directly about these issues we were told ” oh well, it is what it is ! “… we were shocked. Yes, we expected to get a car that we knew did not meet up to the fit and finish standards of an American car. But to have ZAP’s staff say ” oh well, it is what it is ! ” simply shocking! It does not seem that there is any real attempt to offer any customer service by ZAP. If indeed, we got a car that had not been dealer prepped. That is bad enough for $13,000. But after pointing all of this out ZAP’s response has been very sad to say the least.
After all that we simply asked for the batteries extended warranty to be covered by ZAP and we would walk away a happy customer. However we were told we would need to pay! OMG!
2008 72 Volt Xebra PK Performance.
Ride is ok, a bit stiff. And it did tip on two wheels today! . This seems to be because the front tire was low. As I made a 20 mph curve the sidewall of the tire collapsed and allowed the rear right tire to lift off the ground. This caused the front of the truck to drag and scrape off some Chinese bondo on the road.
Lesson learned. Check the front tire every day!. Oh and swap it our for a motorcycle tire that has stronger sidewalls.. Duh ZAP ! …
Inside, the truck is very stark and cheap. The window cranks almost hit the dash but your hand will if you try to roll up the window with the door closed. DUH ZAP! The seats are adjustable but cannot move because the seat belt attachment point stops the seat from traveling anything but about 1 inch. The windows don’t roll down all the way. Very annoying. Zap does not provide any instructions for operation of the Chinese CD/Radio/MP3 unit. You get a heater (really its a front window defogger) but no outside air or cool vent air, only hot. The glove box is just that it will hold a pair of gloves and you can still fit your registration papers in it.
This is now becoming a passion to make my 2008 Xebra PK into something that people can actually use. And I mean the average person that wants one to drive to the store and back. As it is now I would not feel comfortable with my mom, wife or friends driving it! But that will change.
If ZAP won’t DepotEco will !
Stay tuned. We will continue posting our improvements and experiences with the 2008 Xebra PK Truck.
Update: 8/4/08
OMG!!!! I Must say , we just installed the Woodward Spring kit for the 2007 PK Truck on our 2008 PK, This was like going from riding in an old stage coach to a Cadillac. Super easy to install and yes it takes a slight mod to use the 2007 kit on the 2008 PK truck but its super easy. Ill post more later but for now I must say nice work Woodward !
Update 8/15/2008
NEW !! 84 Volts “Super PK” Performance.
Lots of news,
First, GPEV did come through. They replaced my damaged battery and we are all square. We will start stocking some of the Zap Upgrade parts from GPEV and other sources. Thanks GPEV for the parts and service. !
Next.
We have just finished installing our 7th battery into our system. (YEA) This makes a huge difference. For us it was absolutely necessary so we can get up our very steep hill, and driveway coming home. Without this extra voltage I had to stop at the bottom of my driveway and charge it for at least 15 to 30 minutes. Now, with the extra voltage of one more 12 volt battery we have gained at least 15% more power and speed. We were having a hard time averaging 35 mph with the stock set up. With the new setup we can hit 45 easy and 50 is actually available if you really need it!. That’s awesome. Range ? , I don’t know yet. I am using up at least 30% of my batteries getting up my Hill and driveway here. So my next test is a good long trip. So far we have done a respectable 20 miles round trip with a short one hour helper charge when parked in the only City EV spot in Santa Barbara! (so sad). Anyway, all said we have now added a Pak Trakr system that tells us the voltage of each battery in our pack, We added battery equalizers that keep all the batteries in the system at the same voltage (balanced). We have removed the stock rear springs and replaced them with much, much, much better performing springs that allow the shocks to take most of the bumps in the road. Now we have a very acceptable ride. We have added a 7th battery ramping our systems voltage up to 84 volts. Now I can say I would let my wife or someone else drive it. As I can now get it to pass the test of my hills. I can actually use this as a grocery getter, hardware runs etc car.
I will continue to upgrade the insides and maybe move to the next level with a 96 volt system. Stay tuned for more..
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Update 9/20/2008
Things are looking very good. WE have been driving just about anywhere we need as many times as we need as fast as the roads will allow. Now with the added battery the Xebra Super PK is great!. I have found that when it does sit for a few days the Battery pack seems to loose its range a bit. But this comes back when we drive it more and more. After sitting for more than a week with no use , It got me everywhere I needed and back home. The absolute best addition is the Pak Trakr unit that allows me to see how much life the pack has left. Like a fuel gauge! this is absolutely the best improvement. Now I have a gauge to tell me if I am about to get in trouble and need a charge. Or in my case if I have enough juice in my pack to get back up the hill and then my driveway. So far so good. Also I understand ZAP is now importing a newer PK SD sedan that has been designed a bit better. Things may be picking up for ZAP. I am extremely happy with the improvements we have done to our PK truck. The extra battery and the improved suspension. Last improvements are the interior lighting we have added. Stock the PK has no inside illumination at all. so we added a set of led lights and a cool USB light as a map light. Now we have light to see direction selector. F/R There are of course many things to pick at, But I get to laugh and wave as i drive by the Gas stations. Those places I go to get Air for my tires 🙂 . The next task is to get the city to provide more EV parking spots. More to come.
Update 10/21/2008
Battery memory is a slight issue. As I have reported in the past my Zap PK can sit for a few days as I do way to much work at my desk 🙁 . So this means that I might not drive it for 2 or 3 days. When I drive it again I have lost considerable battery range! Not enough to keep me from getting home, but not as much as the 40 miles I was almost getting. The memory bounces right back the next time I drive it but it is a consideration to be kept in mind. Until we have a good source of Lithium Batteries you will want to drive your ZAP PK at least once a day.
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Update 10/31/2008
We lost a battery cable today, Looks like a bad crimp job on one of the Battery Cables.
This caused the Pak Trakr to alert me 🙂 very nice! Upon inspection my Battery Equalizer from Smart Spark also indicated that the # 5 Battery was having issues. When I checked it out I could clearly see that the crimped on terminal end (battery cable end) was loose causing it to heat up enough to start to melt the rubber boot and cause it to turn black where it touched.
My next upgrade will be marina grade 2/0 with copper tinned marina grade terminal ends. This is not a surprise to me as the original cable is under sized on the battery pack from ZAP! The first thing I did was to upgrade the Drive Cables when I first got the PK. Now for the Battery pack I will size up to 2/0 ( two ought) for the absolute least resistance and heat within the pack.
Lets see how this does..
Check back very soon.
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Update 4/29/2011
Wow how time files. Last thing was the upgrade to the Heavy Duty 2/0 ( two ought) battery cable.
Happy Cinco De Mayo
Ill continue to update as we go through the process. For us its even more exciting because we will be one of only a few that is trading in and all electric for an all electric!.
28 responses to “2008 ZAP Xebra PK Electric Truck – Real life user review”
I have a 08 Zap pk, received it 12/11/08.
So far I have installed the Woodward rear springs, paktrakr and the battery box for the 84v kit, plan to put the 7th battery in this weekend. Am waiting for a 400a bus fuse, was told the 84v may blow the stock 300a fuse on hills.
Has anyone used powercheq battery balancers, or know if they are effective enough to warrant the $300 cost?
Dale, I used the BattEQ™ from Smart Spark, they work very well and give you feed back via LED. it has not alerted me to on bad battery that Zap has finely replaced!. worth Evey penny. I have only read that the others do not put up with the Heat and vibration in a Ev like our. The Smart Spark Batterer is a Solid state Water proof block. you can mount it just about anywhere. I put mine on the frame rails so i can see the led status lights.. Ill post a pic here of them ..
see Smart Spark here.
http://www.smartsparkenergy.com/products.aspx
Also about the Fuse. yes i went to 400 A and got it at
http://shop.gpev.us/category.sc?categoryId=2
I got the 84v kit and ordered the 400A from GPEV, Sean has removed the Batteq’s and now sells the Powerchec units. I guess smartpark was having problems with them and stop making them for now.
I have battery #4 and at times #5 that will have a lower voltage than the others and when charging #1,2,3,6 will be 14.8v and #4,5 will be 15v.
That’s why I’m considering the balancers.
Dale, I can get you the Smart Spark units. They are much better because they put up with the Heat, Dirt, water etc. While we like Gpev, we actually called Smart Spark and had them repair one of our EQ’s The only issue with the Smart Spark Batt EQ is that you must hook the and unhook them in order. if you do not you will fry the unit. Here on our PK after installing the Batt Eq the voltage mismatch you describe.. (yes we had it on those exact batteries..) went way. Now all of the Batteries are between 14.5 and 14.0 . Also when the PK sits for a long time the batteries regain there range much faster because EQ;s are constantly balancing the loads.
Email me if you want the Smart Spark EQ,s we don’t stock them but will carry them when needed.
If anyone is planning on installing a 84v kit from GPEV on a Zap pk, I would suggest pricing the parts individually from their site, It will be less to buy the box, charger, battery strap and battery cables from them and buy the #12 wire, connectors and 4 self tapping screws at a hardware store.
I would have have enough money to pay for the 400a fuse with shipping that I needed to complete the conversion.
Not a bad reflection on GPEV, they are great folks and helped me a lot. Just an observation of the money spent.
I got the 84v kit installed and the 08 pk is a lot better now, has better acceleration from a stop and maintains speed going over the hills and overpass I need to travel to work.
With 84v the pac is @ 80% when I get to work (5 miles), sits for 8 1/2 hours no charge, the pac is @ 56% when I get back home (5 miles). This is with the stock zap heater on the entire trip to and from work. Hopefully the voltage drains will be less when the heater is not needed.
Dale
Has there been any head to head comparison of the two variations of the voltage upgrade, or more to the point are you two Zapsters going to race this year? I got to ride in the DepotEco Xebra both before and after the upgrade – big difference! It seems that 84volts is way to go. Much less thinking about who is going to run over you from behind.