Columbia Electric Trucks — little mega haulers
By Dave Stall

With gas prices creeping up to the $4 range this may be a perfect review for the folks that need a vehicle for short range, not run on gas but able to haul up to 1,068 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 percent electric powered, environmentally friendly and there is six body styles to choose from. There is a choice of an enclosed van with a rear and side door opening or there is the pick up truck model. If a dump system is needed, no problem. Drop sides 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. Complete with 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 and single point battery watering system. Talking with Cottonwoods tech, Will, he said the number one problem with electric carts is lack of water in the batteries, this system makes maintenance simple.

Choice of three colors, hubcaps, sun visors, strobe light, windshield wipers and washer, outside mirrors and a heater defroster all standard. What more could you ask for? The thing I like about the Columbia other than the fact it is made in the good old USA, Reedsburg Wisconsin to be exact, is that the vehicle is designed to operate as a true work vehicle. In fact, USD is using them and when I had Columbia on KUSI last Saturday, 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 thousands of dollars by switching to the Columbia.

Also on the Columbia is 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; personalize these trucks to ones 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.

Got a car question or comment? Go to www.davestall.com