Pocono News Section

Scranton Woman Buys "First Zap Car" In NEPA

Scranton Woman Buys "First Zap Car" In NEPA - Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 6:40PM EST

Reported by: Jeff Chirico
Wednesday, May 27, 2009 @ 06:40pm EST
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY --As gas prices climb, there's one woman in Scranton who doesn't mind. She's driving what she says is the first zap car in northeastern Pennsylvania. It's one hundred percent electric. Consumer reporter Jeff Chirico just back from a ride in the ZAP.

ZAP stands for zero air pollution. You plug it into an outlet rather than a gas pump. And so far, a thousand have been sold in the u. s. one of them --to a woman who wants to be green. It's as green as it is red. “I'm saving money and saving the earth." Last week, Lora Spitale-Norton of Scranton bought what may be the first Zap Xebra in our area.

“It's like driving a Volkswagen Beetle. Brings me back to teenage years." But this three-wheeler runs completely on an electric charge. It has high technology, but no frills. "Oh boy, that's not a comfy seat" It tops out at 40 miles an hour. “This is the hard part. No power steering. No power steering." Or air conditioning. “It doesn't have real good suspension so we bounce."

But it does turn heads. “I think it's goofy looking." "I couldn't believe it has three wheels on it." “Its cute car. It's little."

As gas prices climb, the ZAP is becoming more economical. Company officials says it costs 2 to 3 cents a mile to drive this car. “Do you have a lamp on in the house? That's how much it costs to run my car."

Lora says she won't take it on the highway but will drive it to the store, work and almost everywhere in town. Almost. "I just drive past the gas station and wave. I don't need you anymore. That's right. I don't." How much does it cost?

Lora says she paid ten grand for it. But the federal government offers a ten percent tax credit. The state also offers some incentives.