Xebra is the little electric vehicle that can, according to autobloggreen

This Autobloggreen post talks about how the range of ZAP's car can be extended.

"For electric car scientists at Lithium Balance in Copenhagen, the current-model Xebras with lead acid batteries were lacking and so they teamed up with Zap to develop lithium-ion battery Xebras that can go 152 miles per charge. This upgrade to the Xebra's capabilities - the current range for a Xebra is 25 miles - will be offered to customers "in the near future.""

ZAP Buses

GERMAN ENGINEERED PLATFORM
Youngman Automobile Group cooperates with the world leader German NEOPLAN. The products range from tour coach, city bus, special saloon, etc. The Group exchanges talents with European partners actively and sends a number of engineers and technical workers to Germany for training every year.

QUALITY
Youngman’s quality is proven by a FULL LINE of bus options that meet all US Standards and most required applications, being an ISO-9000 approved enterprise.

FORMAT CUSTOMIZATION
ZAP’s customization process, assembly and manufacturing guarantees that any format can be delivered ranging from:

CNG

ELECTRIC

HYBRID

• Models
  • 12 Meter Low-Floor City Bus
  • 12 Meter Luxury Coach
  • 13.7 Meter Double Deck Luxury Coach
  • 13.7 Meter Low-Floor City Bus
  • 13.7 Meter Luxury Coach
  • 18 Meter Low-Floor Articulated City Bus

Peak Oil

What with rising prices of oil hogging the headlines, the theory of peak oil has been brought back into sharp focus. Expert explain this rise in oil prices as being due to,

" booming energy demand, shrinking conventional resources and consequent shift in demand-supply axis. However, not all of the increase in the past few years has been due to the fundamentals; associated dynamics like a weakening dollar, speculative activities and fear of supply disruptions from unstable resource centres have played a significant role. "

Further OPEC, which is now producing around 32 million bbl per day, has now a very conservative spare capacity; estimated to be less than 10%, much below its five-year average of around 15%. Besides supply restraints from OPEC, there remains sluggish growth in non-OPEC oil production. OPEC says it is shying away from increasing output because of the US economic slowdown; political turmoil in West Asia; and expectations of slackening global demand.

With this backdrop, the theory of Peak Oil threatens to become a reality. Now, many oil geologists believe that 90% of the globe’s oil fields have already been tapped and many are already exhausted. This is reflected in the report cards of oil MNCs. Reserve replacement ratios (RRR) for most, if not all, is less than one.

In light of these facts it would be foolish to ignore alternative means of transport; other than gas guzzlers.

ZAP has edge over Competitors

This post on the Yahoo message board caught my eye:

"The Miles XS500, which they expect to be offering for sale to consumers by late 2009, is a full sized, four door, highway speed sedan. It is designed to travel 80+ MPH for 120+ miles on a single charge. The all electric car uses lithium ion iron phosphate batteries manufactured by their partner Lishen Battery Co. located in Tianjin, China, and Miles expects to sell these vehicles for under $40,000."

not bad accept it's not in production.

The Zap alias goes 100 mph thats 20mph faster then The Miles XS500. the alias is also classified as a motorcycle so that means its cheaper to register and insure. the alias is also $10,000 cheaper.

Also zap is the ONLY manufacturer and distributor thats is right now at this moment selling city legal electric vehicles. zap is also supported by youngman which is one of china's largest manufacturers. this means that they will always have a steady supply of reliable and warrantied EV's.

Also dont forget the Zap-x because that is what really blows miles out of the water.

In my opinion miles electric is MILES behind zap.

Anyone else?

Clearly ZAP has an edge over its would be competitors simply because most of them are still at the development stage. a lot of promises and good promises they are to be sure, but nothing up and running yet.

The other advantage that ZAP has is that it has been in the EV business for 13 years now! No one else can make that claim today.

Further, its tie up with Detroit Electric, the original EV manufacturer increases its credibility that much further.

ZAP Electric Vehicles Not limted to 35mph Streets like Gem or Golfcart

I'll just quote from this write up here by a ZAP owner:

"Date: 2008-04-24, 7:12AM PDT


Zaps are far more practical than a GEM Car or Golf Cart.

Because they are registered as a motorcycle they are not restricted to 35 mph streets.

No motorcycle license is needed due to the inclosed cabin.

I drive everyday from Newport Beach To Huntington Beach on PCH legally, cant do that in a Gem or Golfcart. My daily driving averages about 40 miles with all the errands I do. I spend less than 2 cents per mile to drive that 40 miles

Charging it up at Loews. Many places allow you to charge up for free while shopping. Cant beat driving for FREE!!

ZAP PK Pickups Demos with 600 miles $8495.

ZAP Xebra Sedans New 2008 $10495 "

New ZAP PK Pickups $11,499

ZAP Alias

The Alias prototype is being developed by ZAP at this time. With an expected delivery of the car next year, it will have the following features:

• 0 – 60 mph : 7.7 seconds
• Vmax: 100 mph
• EV range: 100+ miles (160.9 kilometer)
• Vehicle kerb mass: 1612.6 lbs (733 kg)

For more details visit http://www.zapworld.com/electric-vehicles/electric-cars/zap-alias

Historically, EVs have been under attack

In the early 1900s EVs were far more main stream than they are now. Market forces and perhaps the fact that combustion autos became more popular and feasible edged EVs out at the time. Perhaps the reason was more sinister.

There have been many instances of the Electric Vehicle being 'killed' most notably an auto major's well documented foray into the EV space in the mid 1990s. Those cars were mysteriously recalled and destroyed.

For another instance of EV killing look here: http://www.amectran.com/amectran.htm

www.ev1.org is an organization dedicated to resurrecting the EV. The members are trying to bring some pressure to bear on CARB (California Air Resources Board),

"to eviscerate its budget, and to require it to be responsive to the needs of the people instead of beholden to auto and oil company lobbyists."

This group of people are encouraging people to join and to give their movement more impetus. They sound pretty passionate in their plea to let the EV be resurrected. I think there are a lot of people out there who want to be able to use and promote the use of clean energy using vehicles with lower or zero emissions.

EXAR-1 Electric Automobile

This is a familiar story of EVs being victimized by people who have vested interests in the Oil and auto industries:

"Edmond X. Ramirez, Sr. inventor of the EXAR-1 Electric Automobile, the "Worlds First (Real) Production, Electronic Powered Automobile" was victimized by the vast surreptitious, illegal and calumnius efforts utilized in preventing the production of the EXAR-1. The following historical documents provide a synopses of how he and this exceptional automobile were destroyed.

Years of constantly being dragged into court on trumpted-up charges, struggeling to survive the surreptitious onslaught of nameless, faceless advisories, Ramirez was labeled a "con man"...common sense dictates however, that no con man has ever had a product that actually worked...swindlers sell machines that turn lead into gold...not an advanced, proven and government tested electric automobile that performs as purported by its inventor - an electric automobile that would reduce the nation's dependance on foreign oil while helping save the environment - an electric automobile which provided great concern to the automobile industry over innovations it intended to introduce...unlike Tucker, who only threatened the automobile industry, the EXAR-1 was not too welcome by oil interests either.

Over twenty years of furtive, inimical, strategems were used against the EXAR-1 project, finally ending in a cumulative mass of calumny that destroyed Amectran Corporation. At no time could any government agency find fault with the EXAR-1 Electric Automobile...not after years of trying...the only alternative - attack the intrepid inventor by the only effective, proven method - belied brinksmanship."

Detroit Electric

Detroit Electric is a joint venture company formed between a 13-year-old US electric car company ZAP (OTCBB: ZAAP) and one of China's leading vehicle manufacturers China Youngman Automotive Group. The Company has revived the vintage electric car brand Detroit Electric and its business scope covers manufacturing, marketing, distribution and sales of pure electric vehicles including buses, coaches and passenger cars. Detroit Electric was an American icon in the early part of the 1900s. The brand represented the most popular electric car in history and the longest running electric car company, which operated between 1907 and 1939 by the Anderson Electric Car Company in Detroit Michigan. At the time, the car was very popular, with customers like Thomas Edison, Charles Proteus Steinmetz, Henry Ford's Wife Clara, and John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Detroit Electric is a name that speaks to generations about the past and the future of automobiles. For more information, please visit their website: Detroit Electric

Testimonials from ZAP Owners

I have heard this from a lot of EV owners, that they get a lot of approval from fellow drivers about their choice of car. People drive alongside to give a thumbs up or smile and wave or want to just chat about the vehicle.

So you can check out the testimonials at Zapworld, and a sample below:

I went 50.2 miles today on one charge!"

"It's costing me 2 cents a mile, you hear that?, 2 cents a mile."

"We have not seen a noticeable increase in our electric bill"

People are enjoying driving their vehicles because "I particularly
love getting the 'thumbs up' " and because "the town gives me a free
"green" parking permit! "

ZAP dealerships

Mark Higley is a dealer for ZAP's Xebra in Kansaa and he tells us about his experiences with ZAP people and ZAP EVs in this write up here.

Another dealer for ZAP vehicles and products is Electric Wheels Inc. This one sells the full range ZAP's products.

Some thing i got to know of, only recently is the solar assisted sedan. Similar to the solar assisted truck, this one also has solar batteries mounted on the roof. Take a look below to see what it looks like. Not the best of photos, but it gives you an idea:

More government subsidies for EVs

ecently there has been a lot of buzz on the internet about different
governments offering incentives in the form of subsidies for the
purchase of EVs. This post at autobloggreen (http://
www.autobloggreen.com/2008/04/11/electric-cars-may-be-subsidized-in-n...)
talks about the possible subsidization of electric vehicles (which may
include two wheelers and three wheelers as well) bought in India's
capital city New Delhi. The post reports that "Other Indian cities
already exempt BEVs from the road tax and some states exempt them from
the VAT." The fun part of this is how the subsidy will be funded:
diesel will be taxed so that EVs become cheaper!

Another post at autobloggreen (http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/04/18/
regional-government-wants-companies-to-switch-to-electric-bikes/
1#c11693108) talks about
"The Region of Cantabria, Spain, has announced a plan for companies to
switch from gasoline motorbikes to electric units. The plan, called
BioBike, is aimed to business which use motorbikes for pizza, courier
and postal deliveries as well as police patrols. The Government will
give tax exemptions as well as direct subsidies for purchase of
electric motorbikes."

I think, worldwide, the interest in EVs is growing. Governments are realizing that and also seeing the environmental benefits of encouraging EVs.

The Solar Assisted Car

ZAP's solar assisted car, is a one of a kind EV which is a electric truck with solar panels on the roof. This not only reduces concerns that people may have about the source of their electricity, it also extends the range of the vehicles. The solar panel can also be set up outside your garage to serve as a charging station. This is a vehicle that has emerged after many years of research and development. This model serves as a truck which can carry a payload of upto 300 pounds.

An electric vehicle is different from our concept of vehicles in general. For one, is a silent vehicle and it does not have a tail pipe which regular combustion vehicles have for exhaust to be released into the air. Therefore, they are zero emission vehicles, or ZERO AIR POLLUTION, which is what ZAP stands for, both literally as well as figuratively!

Telsa embroiled in law suits

This NY Times article reports that Tesla Motors, the Silicon Valley maker of electric sports cars, filed suit in San Mateo Superior Court on Monday against a competing company and two of its employees, alleging theft of Tesla’s design ideas and trade secrets.

"The Tesla lawsuit states that before doing the design work for Tesla, Mr. Fisker had no experience with hybrid technology. It says that he did substandard work for Tesla, essentially sabotaging it, and then used the revenue from the design contract to develop his company’s car."

Coincidentally, only today i came upon this post in Autobloggreen which reports that this time, Telsa was on the receiving end of a law suit. Here Telsa is the one being sued for damages and what appears to be breach of contract. Seems like troubled times ahead for Telsa.

Reasons to buy an electric car

1. Zero Air Pollution
ZAP stands for Zero Air Pollution. We believe electricity is the fuel of the future. With electricity to power our transportation, our world can tap into renewable resources like hydroelectric, solar, wind, or geothermal power; resources that lessen our environmental footprint. Furthermore, studies show that millions of electric vehicles can recharge at night using existing surplus electrical generation; a vast, virtually untapped resource.

2. Save Gas
Gasoline is a precious natural resource and vital to the world economy. ZAP vehicles use no gasoline and require no oil changes. Using less fossil fuel can help relieve our current energy shortages while ensuring that future generations can rely on the same inexpensive, useful, petroleum products that we all take for granted.

3. Save Money
Gas keeps getting more expensive. Imagine all the money you can save by ZAPPING to work every day, rather than driving your gas vehicle. The typical electric car costs a penny per mile versus ten cents per mile with gas. Electric bikes and scooters are even less expensive. Plus, electric motors have fewer moving parts, meaning fewer trips to the mechanic. If you live close to work, you can save thousands of dollars per year by replacing your car with a ZAP bicycle.

4. Save Time
Traffic congestion and parking shortages eat away at our busy days, but a ZAP vehicle can help you save time, especially in busy urban areas. ZAP bikes and scooters slice through traffic jams and finding a place to park your ZAP neighborhood car is a snap.

5. Help the Economy
Today, the majority of USA's foreign trade deficit is attributed to imported oil. Using a ZAP vehicle will reduce our reliance on foreign oil. Furthermore, by investing in advanced transportation technologies, the USA can take the technological lead in offering energy efficient products that emerging economies around the world can use to build their own transportation infrastructures.

Human Cost of Global Warming

A post at the gristmill has some very sobering and thought provoking details about the human impact of global warming. It says:

• "More illness and death resulting from heat waves.
• Worsening air pollution causes more respiratory and cardiovascular disease.
• Vector-borne disease infections will rise.
• Changing food production and security may cause hunger.
• More severe and frequent wildfires will threaten more people.
• Flooding linked to rising sea levels will displace millions.

Already, "WHO now says that 150,000 deaths annually are attributable to the effects of climate change." And we've only warmed about 1.5 degrees F in the past century. We might warm 10 degrees F each century!

The time to act is now."

Another post there which looks at the aspect of home or community gardens as a solution to rising food prices is also very interesting and equally thought provoking.

" "Gardens are viewed as 'hobbies' by most politicians/bureaucrats and administrators and are seldom taken seriously as real sources of real food," says a University of Connecticut agricultural extension specialist, speaking of the United States Department of Agriculture. This attitude represents a serious impediment to a healthy, and sustainable food supply and society."

New Delhi to subsidize electric vehicles?

This post at autobloggreen (http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/04/11/electric-cars-may-be-subsidized-in-new-delhi-india/) talks about the possible subsidization of electric vehicles (which may include two wheelers and three wheelers as well) bought in India's capital city New Delhi. The post reports that "Other Indian cities already exempt BEVs from the road tax and some states exempt them from the VAT." The fun part of this is how the subsidy will be funded: diesel will be taxed so that EVs become cheaper!

This is a great green initiative from the government of India, and i wonder what it will take for other countries to emulate it!

Recent Press Releases from ZAP

http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20080324005349&newsLang=en
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/marketwire/0380854.htm

Some widely circulated press releases from ZAP.

Who killed the Electric Car

There is this site, http://www.ev1.org/, which is a organization
formed to promote sale and use of electric vehicles. The members are
trying to bring some pressure to bear on CARB (California Air
Resources Board),

"to eviscerate its budget, and to require it to be responsive to the
needs of the people instead of beholden to auto and oil company
lobbyists."

This group of people are encouraging people to join and to give their
movement more impetus. They sound pretty passionate in their plea to
let the EV be resurrected. I think there are a lot of people out there
who want to be able to use and promote the use of clean energy using
vehicles, let them decide if ZAP's products are or not worth it.

Hydrids 5 years on...

While there is such a buzz around vehicles using alternative energy, the thought did cross my mind as to how viable these vehicles are in the long run. I was reassured to read this article by a hybrid owner of 5 years who had never regretted his choice in the years that he had owned and used the vehicle.

“Five years later, I still love this car.. I've had virtually no maintenance problems. I've never lacked for power, even in the hilly Bay Area (it's a tad loud when you have to gun it up a grade, but there's always plenty of juice). I love driving solo in the carpool lane at rush hour; California is one of several states that allows hybrid drivers to do that. Cliched as it may sound, I am like those folks in the ads who say they'd buy one again. “

ZAP Hybrids

Although a lot of companies are in the process of producing and developing plug in hybrids, one company is already selling plug-in hybrids or PHEVs. The difference between regular hybrids and plug in hybrids is that the former run on gasoline only and the latter can actually be charged from a regular power source much like another appliance in the home. The PHEV will allow the owner to charge their vehicle from a normal household wall outlet. By integrating a larger battery pack and a plug-in charging system, it becomes a new vehicle drawing energy from two fuel sources!

This is the reason that a PHEV can give you upto 120 miles per gallons! ZAP is now offering plug-in hybrid conversion systems for the Toyota Prius and Ford Escape Hybrid through a collaboration agreement with Hybrids Plus.

And some more,

Also at flikr. There are some really pretty colors offered too!

A visual tour of the ZAP Warehouse

There are some recent pix from the ZAP warehouse posted on the internet here. This should put an end to all the speculation by people who doubt ZAP’s production capabilities. ZAP’s sedans, trucks, solar assisted vehicles, scooters are all very much in evidence. There is also a museum like piece among all the modern plug ins, which is a throw back to when the original electric car was produced so many years ago, but which was never permitted to go into production by the powerful auto lobby at the time.

New York Follows in London's Footsteps

An autobloggreen post reported that NYC is copying London's Congestion Charge, i.e. levying a tax per car that enters the city. It goes not to explain how it works:

"he congestion charging zone would be in effect in Manhattan south of 60th Street between 6 am and 6 pm Monday-Friday. Cars will be charged $8 daily, trucks will be charged $21 daily ($7 if it's a low-emission vehicle) when entering the zone and there would be a $1 surcharge for vehicles without EZ-Pass readers. Weekends, evenings and early mornings remain free. Moreover, each taxi ride will be surcharged by $1 for trips that start and/or end in the designated zone. Motorcycles and scooters will have to pay $4. Big Apple drivers can also look forward to increased metered parking rates and residents won't be able exempt from the parking tax, although there will be a residential parking program. What do we get for the cost? The Council committed the estimated revenue of $491 million for transit improvements."

London was the first to come up with such a tax to encourage people to use public transport or at least use greener vehicles. Vehicles using alternative fuel or energy can hope to get a reduction or exhemption on this tax. One more incentive for buying EVs

Thaw in Greenland

This article in the Age reports melting of the ice in Greenland and consequent exposure of and possible access to its oil reserves. That is a very very scary thought!

It is not a reason to rejoice, that newly accessible oil reserves may become available in the near future, but a reason to be very very afraid. For one, the melting of the ice in Greenland is one more telltale sign and irrefutable proof of global warming and climate change. This means that what our polluting lifestyles have done is raise temperatures around the world, causing ice to melt, sea levels to rise and cause numerous other ruinous effects on our environment.

Further one more source or reserve of oil tapped means increased pollution and decreased commitment to greener energy and lifestyles. It will be a big setback for people committed to alternative energy and producing and making available to consumers more environment friendly lifestyles, if the Greenland oil reserves are permitted to be explioted.