DriveTech

Cars at a Glance
2009 Columbia Electric Truck

With gas prices creeping up to the $4 range this may be a perfect review for you folks that need a vehicle for short range, not run on gas but able to haul up to 1068 pounds.
Cottonwood Electric Cart Service in El Cajon is the authorized dealer for Columbia Mega. Powered by deep cell batteries with a life expectancy of 5 to 6 years and a top speed of 25 miles per hour. The Columbia will allow you to travel city streets with ease or on your ranch or trailer park. The Columbia has become a popular vehicle for College's and municipalities that need to save money on campus vehicles.
The Columbia is 100% electric powered, environmentally friendly and you have six body styles to choose from. You can choose a enclosed van with a rear and side door opening or there is the pick up truck model and if you need a dump system, no problem, drop side are a must? No problem Columbia has it. Maybe you need a Refuse Hauler, what is a refuse Hauler? A trash truck that dumps.
Pretty cool if you ask me.
Driving the Columbia is a snap turn the center knob to reverse, forward and release the hand brake and you're off. You get turn signals, steering wheel lock for security, ignition key, hazard lights, seat belts, inside rear view mirror, center storage pocket, tinted glass, dashboard maintenance alert indicator, single point battery watering system, talking with Cottonwoods tech, Will, he said it is the number one problem with electric carts is lack of water in the batteries this system makes maintenance simple.
You get three color choices, hubcaps, sun visors, strobe light, windshield wipers and washer, outside mirrors and a heater defroster. What more could you ask for. The think I like about the Columbia other than the fact it is made in the good old USA, Reedsburg Wisconsin to be exact.
The vehicle is designed to operate as a true work vehicle in fact USD is using them and when I had Columbia on KUSI Saturday the 14th we ran into Mayor sanders and he is looking to switching all the small maintenance vehicles to Columbia's. Studies have shown that a company can save $1,000 of dollars by switching to the Columbia.
You also get real world components, solid state regenerating braking system, front wheel drive, rack and pinion steering, disc brakes up front and drum in the rear, McPherson Strut/Coil suspension up front and Coil/Shock system in the rear, 145/70R13 tire and wheel package and the chassis is made of aluminum for strength and lightness.
Now the big question? What does the Columbia Mega cost? Well they start at $16,000 and go up from there; you can personalize them to your liking thanks to Cottonwoods extensive parts department. Stop by 800 El Cajon Blvd (Across from Cunningham BMW) and visit with Gil Salazar his phone number is 619-440-2127. Easy financing is available, help the environment and look at a Columbia and see if it fits your work model.