A new kind of electric car and truck are taking gas prices head-on in California's Central Valley. The gas-free vehicles are from California automaker ZAP and are now available in Visalia.

Mike Brackett is opening the new dealership with sales and service for the ZAP Xebra. This week he plans to roll the Xebra out at the annual Porterville Fair, May 14-18 in nearby Porterville, California.

ZAP says record gas prices are driving up sales for the Xebra. As of April 18, 2008, ZAP reported orders in hand of $6.8 million for the city-speed sedan and truck.

Brackett says he traded in his Lamborghini for a ZAP car and hasn't filled up with gas since. The cars and trucks sell for about $11,000 to $12,000 and come in bright colors. Brackett has sold four vehicles so far and warns people to prepare to be noticed. The unique design is an attention-grabber as you drive around town. ZAP says they wanted the Xebra to be unusual looking because electric cars are different from gasoline.

Brackett's dealership was the focus of a recent FOX TV news segment with local affiliate KMPH.

Electric cars like the ZAP Xebra are much more quiet in operation than normal ones. While it is easy to fill up your gas car today for $60 or more, it costs about 60 cents to recharge a ZAP Xebra, which can save you hundreds of dollars per year on your fuel bill. You can avoid the gas station altogether and recharge at any normal household 110-volt outlet. Without gasoline, there is no need for oil changes, tune-ups or smog checks. Speaking of smog, electric vehicles reduce automotive emissions by more than 90 percent compared to gas, according to studies by the California Air Resources Board.

The Xebra was designed for city-speed driving up to 40 MPH. ZAP says its customers are homeowners with more than one car or businesses, governments and other entities that operate fleets of vehicles.