Dubai: Springs resident Michael Kraemer feels like a million dirhams while using his "Zero" electric car.
In a place where big is better, the German lawyer is probably the only one to drive a plug-in - the Tazzari Zero.
"Many colleagues think I'm crazy, while some think I'm cool. The car is by no means perfect. But it's absolute fun," he said.
Less is more
The car has already clocked in a little over 5,100km. "For this distance I would have had to fill up my old car (an M Class Mercedes Benz that he ditched last November) about 10 times at an average cost of about Dh130, so I would have used about Dh1,300 worth of petrol," said Kraemer, who works for international law firm Taylor Wessing in Dubai.
In contrast, the electricity Zero has consumed for the same distance has cost him about Dh100. But cost savings are not enough reason to go electric.
At Dh130,000, including shipment, the car costs more than a souped-up Pajero.
"A comparable conventionally powered car might have cost me about half of what I was paying now, so to ‘break even' I would have to use my car for 250,000km or more."
But Kraemer had other reasons: to practise what he preaches. His interest in sustainable lifestyle is in line with his job as a "green" lawyer as many of his clients are solar power and recycling companies. "It feels good to be part of a move towards a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle here in the UAE."
Kraemer said he had been looking for an electric car since 2001, but most such vehicles at that time were still in the test stage and not available for purchase. Then he read an article about the Tazzari Zero - relatively affordable at a base price of around Dh100,000, a top speed of 105 km/h and boasting a realistic range of 100km on a full charge.
Did he have a hard time getting it registered? "It was easy, since I had a no-objection certificate from the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). They were very supportive and seemed to like the idea."
He said the cost of getting it serviced is "almost negligible". "The first time I took it for service all that needed to be done is some brake oil refill." Has it ever broken down? "Never."
The lowdown
- Tyres: 15-inch low resistance tubeless
- Speed: 105 km/h
- Weight: 550kg
- Length: 2m
- Range: 142km full charge
- Body: Glass fibre
- Frame: Aluminium
- Charging: Overnight; optional quick charge (80% charge) in about an hour with some additional equipment and a high-voltage power outlet
- Thumbs up: Eco-friendly
- Thumbs down: Problems with AC; initial high cost
