Fuel-Efficient-Vehicles.org

ZAP electric cars

updated Dec. 22 2009
Who Killed the Gas Guzzler? Popular Science, March 2007

The leading importer of electric vehicles talks about micro-cars, a 155mph battery-powered SUV and neon paint jobs

Steven Schneider has been selling cars-everything from tiny European imports to boat-like Lincolns-nearly his entire life. Now, as CEO of ZAP (for Zero Air Pollution) in Santa Rosa, California, he specializes in the distribution of small, fuel-efficient automobiles.


It`s a job, he says, that makes him feel less like "the stereotype car salesman with plaid pants and a white belt." The country`s largest retailer of electric vehicles-90,000 sold worldwide since 1994, including 300 electric cars but mostly ATVs and golf-cart-size vehicles

ZAP early on, introduced the fastest production electric car in the country, a three-wheeler called the Xebra that can hit 40 miles per hour. By the end of next year, ZAP will introduce the Obvio, a pint-size Brazilian import that will be the nation`s first commercial car to run on 100 percent ethanol, followed by a Lotus Engineering electric SUV [the ZAP-X] that will top 155mph. We spoke with Schneider about his thriving eco-dealership and his ambitious vision of a green automobile for every driver in America.

Q: Why aren`t electric cars more popular in the U.S.?
A: Those of influence don`t promote them. I hate to be so vague, but we`re not looking to make any enemies. That said, I believe that within the next few years, due to public demand, we`ll start to see more of them.

Q: The Xebra is efficient, but what`s the point if the range is only 40 miles?
A: It`s a great little inner-city commuter or country-road vehicle. It`s technically freeway-legal, but it`s not built for that. With it, we`ve introduced electric-drive technology at an affordable price-under $10,000.

Q: What`s with the zebra stripes and neon paint job?
A: People want to be noticed. They want to stand out in a crowd. It`s the same for Ferrari or Rolls-Royce drivers.

Q: Who`s buying your cars?
A: Families, people who want to make a difference, people who want to save money, people who want to make money, and everyone in between. But electric cars also bring a lot of benefits for fleet applications and city government and utilities. Our little Xebra truck is the ideal meter-maid vehicle.

* * ALIAS * *

ZAP Announces Second High-Performance Electric Vehicle in Development: the Alias

June 22, 2007

Includes Similar Technology, Expected Sooner than ZAP-X

SANTA ROSA, California - Electric car pioneer ZAP (OTC BB: ZAAP) is launching a new development program for a high-performance electric vehicle that is affordable for consumers.

ZAP says that the initial concept phase for the new vehicle is complete. The targeted price is $30,000, top speed in excess of 100 mph and range of 100 miles per charge. Many of the technologies already specified for the ZAP-X electric car concept will be applied to the new vehicle, but delivery is expected to be sooner than the ZAP-X. CEO Steve Schneider said more details of the new vehicle will be presented at the annual shareholder meeting, July 29 in Santa Rosa, California.

This unique, two-passenger vehicle uses an advanced wheel-motor drive system capable of good acceleration and handling in street-legal vehicles. With a top speed of 100 miles per hour and a range of 100 miles. Available in 2009. MSRP $32,500.
Dec.2009: Available in late 2010

Q: What about those of us who want more than a short-range cruiser?
A: We`ve partnered with Lotus Engineering to introduce an entire line of green but very advanced vehicles. One is an electric SUV called the ZAP-X that we expect to sell in the $60,000 range next year [see "Burning Rubber, Saving Fossil Fuel," right]. Its all-aluminum frame allows us to add additional batteries that give it a 350-mile range, a penny-a-mile operational cost, 155mph capability, touchscreen controls, and all-biometric entry and ignition.

Zap X

(251.06 Km/h)

Q: Where will we charge up?
A: In the early stages, people will just plug in at work, restaurants, their homes. Costco and Wal-Mart already have outlets available. The infrastructure will change so you`ll just put a few quarters in a station and start refueling. The Xebra takes four hours to recharge, but the ZAP-X comes standard with a new fast-charging lithium battery. Plug it in, and 10 minutes later you`re on your way.Q: Will it kill your electric bill?
A: No, because it costs about a dollar to refuel the Xebra, and roughly $3.50 for the ZAP-X.

Q: So from the Xebra to the ZAP-X, is your basic idea to have an alternative-fuel car for all consumers, except maybe the Hummer-lovers?
A: Even the Hummer driver.

"With ZAP's experience over the past 12 years and the groundwork we have already laid, we know that electricity is the future of the auto industry," said Schneider. "At the same time, we believe we have a design that will serve a niche no other manufacturer in the auto industry is seeking to fill."Today, ZAP is selling an innovative electric car and truck design called the XEBRA for about $10,000 that travels speeds up to 40 MPH. Schneider says the XEBRA was designed to fill the growing niche for city-speed electric vehicles. ZAP is marketing them towards government and municipal fleets as well as short-distance commuters.

ZAP sells the XEBRA through an authorized dealer network of sales and service centers. ZAP is developing a number of vehicles for its automotive business plan. Earlier this year, ZAP introduced a high-performance compact, or crossover, SUV concept called ZAP-X. ZAP also has ventures to build cars in China and Brazil.

Zapino electric scooter

The hub motor in the rear wheel creates more room on-board for additional batteries, greater functionality and performance. This eliminates the need for belts, or chains, resulting in a more enjoyable ride with less vibration and noise, and a smoother acceleration while reducing overall maintenance.
Range: up to 30 miles each charge
Brake: Rear and front disc
Weight Limit: 280 lbs.
Battery: 60V Batteries
Net Weight: 297 lbs. (including battery)
Optional Upgrade:60v40AH Lithium battery; range of up to 65 miles

About ZAP

ZAP has been a leader in advanced transportation technologies since 1994, delivering over 90,000 vehicles to consumers in more than 75 countries. At the forefront of fuel-efficient transportation with new technologies including energy efficient gas systems, hydrogen, electric, fuel cell, ethanol, hybrid and other innovative power systems, ZAP is developing a high-performance crossover SUV electric car concept called ZAP-X engineered by Lotus Engineering. The Company recently launched a new portable energy technology that manages power for mobile electronics from cell phones to laptops. For product, dealer and investor information, visit http://www.zapworld.com.

Obvio 012E : acquired by Varooom, Oct. 9th 2009 [Obvio web site: www.Obvio.ind.br ]

Xebra truck
Michael Kanellos for News.com, June 22, 2007

The price-performance metrics Zap is touting for its cars exceed the figures that other electric car manufacturers are touting. The Tesla Roadster, for instance, costs $92,000 to $98,000 and goes 200 miles before needing a charge. Its maker, Tesla Motors, will come out with sedans in 2009, but these cars will cost between $50,000 and $70,000 and not go as far as on a single charge as the Roadster.

The high prices of electric cars are largely due to the cost of lithium ion batteries-the power source for electric car manufacturers. Making an electric Honda Accord would require about $30,000 in batteries, estimates Ian Wright, who heads up electric sports carmaker Wrightspeed.

As a result, many observers in the electric car industry are skeptical about Zap's chances for success. The company so far has mainly sold scooters and electric bikes, and in relatively small numbers. Zap also sells the Xebra, an electric car that runs on conventional batteries that tops out at around 35 miles an hour.

Zap CEO Steve Schneider, though, asserts that Zap has enlisted a number of partners on the project. Group Lotus in England is helping with the car's design. The company is also working with some of the new entrants into lithium ion batteries. Companies trying to build lithium ion batteries for cars include Valence Technologies, Altair Nanotechnologies and A123 Systems. In an interview in January, Schneider acknowledged he was familiar with both Valence and Altair.