There’s a new option for those seeking “green” transportation thanks to a new Folsom business, Shocking Rides, at Natoma and Riley streets.

When an electric car sold by a business called Shocking Rides has “Zap” inscribed across the nose, there’s no need for further signification, but some is had, anyway. It stands for “zero air pollution.”

When a bicycle from dealer Jon Jacobson sports a retro-looking thickish frame, it’s because of the powerful battery it carries between the sprocket and the crossbar.

The corner business location is well known in Folsom for selling what a couple of decades ago was another pretty cool ride – the Jaguar automobile, Jacobson said. Jacobson has been open there for six weeks.

“The Zap car is a three-wheeler that is registered as a motorcycle for DMV purposes,” Jacobson said. “The insurance is less.”

Of Chinese manufacture, the Zap’s U.S. edition is steel-bodied for extra safety. Originally, the carcycles were bodied with lightweight fiberglass.

When a rider pedals up a hill on an electric bicycle, he or she just pedals right up the darn thing, no sweat, no puffing, no big slow-down, thank you very much.

The machine “senses” a rider’s increased effort on a hill and automatically assists the pedals in propelling the cycle, Jacobson said.

“People who used to ride but now can’t because of some disability will like it, or those who want to ride to work but don’t want to work up a big sweat – they can turn off the power on the ride home,” Jacobson said.

Shocking Rides has a partnership with a successful business in another northern California town even more devoted to bicycling than is Folsom – and that’s Davis.

Tom and Darlene Kelly’s Web site announces how little you get with an electric bicycle or car compared to gasoline vehicles.

“Electric vehicles don’t have pistons, transmissions, engine oil, spark plugs, valves, grinding starters, clutches, rotors, distributors, oil filters, fuel pumps, fuel filters, air filters, radiators, anti-freeze, water pumps, timing belts, fan belts, catalytic converters, or mufflers,” the Kellys wrote. “No fumes, no exhaust, no smog tests, no oil changes, no radiator flushes, no loud engine, no warm-ups, and no gas lines.”

Electric cars have fewer than 10 percent of the moving parts of a gasoline-powered car, according to the Kellys.

Bringing in progressive vehicles to Folsom is a labor of passion for Jacobson.

“After watching the documentary ‘Who Killed the Electric Car?’, I was mad and motivated to try something … anything to get electric cars in the American driveway,” Jacobson said. “My vision now is to offer people as many alternatives as possible to the oil burning madness afflicting our country. Electric vehicles are not the perfect solution, but they offer some great utility for in-town errands and short trips to pick up the kids.”

Batteries charge on a regular 110-volt household outlet, Jacobson said.

Shocking Rides plans to introduce a freeway-speed electric car soon, he said.

The address is 601 Riley St. and the phone is 397-7795.

The Telegraph’s Roger Phelps can be reached at rogerp@goldcountrymedia.com.