A Zap Xebra Without the Zap, Priced Accordingly

The Zap Xebra is a strange vehicle. Imported from China starting in 2006, these three-wheeled electric vehicles were classified as motorcycles to dodge federal crash testing requirements. With a top speed of 40 mph and a range of about 25 miles, they were never going to compete with actual cars, but they did offer cheap, emissions-free commuting for the extremely patient. Most met the crusher years ago, victims of battery degradation and the general absurdity of their existence.

This particular Xebra looks like it crawled out of a radioactive pond and gave up halfway home. That lime green paint is peeling in sheets, the body panels appear to be held together by optimism, and the whole thing sits on what might charitably be called a driveway. The seller notes only 500 miles on the odometer, which tracks — these things rarely made it far. Here's the catch: there's no electric motor. What you do get is the transmission and a small gas engine the seller thinks "could potentially work." So you're buying the husk of an electric vehicle with the suggestion of internal combustion.

This is a project for someone with extremely specific interests and zero expectation of ever driving anywhere. The $800 ask is essentially scrap-metal pricing for something that's mostly fiberglass and questions. If you've ever wanted to build a gas-powered trike from a forgotten Chinese EV corpse in your New Hampshire yard, this is your moment. Everyone else can keep scrolling.