ZAP Announces Second High-Performance Electric Vehicle

Zap has announced today that the company has started a new development program for a high-performance electric vehicle that is affordable for consumers.

According to Zap, 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.

"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."

Source: Internal

ZAP to Present at the 3rd Annual Merriman Curhan Ford & Co. Next-Generation Energy Conference on May 15 in New York

This Year's Conference Will Include Expert Panels Discussing Solar Energy, Ethanol, Biodiesel and Electric Vehicles

ZAP has a strategic business plan in collaboration with Lotus Engineering to create a line of advanced technology vehicles to meet the demand for energy efficient and alternative fuel vehicles, including a high performance electric vehicle called ZAP-X (pictured).

ZAP (OTC Bulletin Board: ZAAP), a leader in advanced automotive technologies, today announced that Chief Executive Officer Steve Schneider will present at the 3rd Annual Merriman Curhan Ford & Co. Next-Generation Energy Conference (NGE) on May 15, 2007 at 1:00 PM. This event will be held at Le Parker Meridien in New York City, 118 W. 57th Street.

Schneider plans to talk about the advance in electric automobile acceptance and ZAP's position in the sector. ZAP introduced the XEBRA, an innovative electric city-car and truck last year. ZAP has a strategic business plan in collaboration with Lotus Engineering to create a line of advanced technology vehicles to meet the demand for energy efficient and alternative fuel vehicles, including a high performance electric vehicle called ZAP-X.

As a premier investment bank with a dedicated NGE practice, Merriman Curhan Ford & Co. initiated equity research coverage three years ago on fast- growing companies that develop and commercialize key NGE technology areas for a cleaner economy -- such as solar power, alternative fuels, fuel cells, energy storage, grid optimization, efficient lighting and environmental technologies.

About Merriman Curhan Ford & Co. and MCF Corporation

Merriman Curhan Ford & Co. is a securities broker-dealer and investment bank focused on fast-growing companies and growth-oriented institutional investors. It provides investment research, brokerage and trading services primarily to institutions, as well as advisory and investment banking services to corporate clients. Its mission is to become a leader in the researching, advising, financing and trading of fast-growing companies. Merriman Curhan Ford & Co. is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a broker-dealer and is a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and SIPC. MCF Corporation (AMEX:MEM) is a financial services holding company that provides investment research, capital markets services, corporate and venture services, investment banking, asset management and primary research through its operating subsidiaries, Merriman Curhan Ford & Co., MCF Asset Management, LLC and Panel Intelligence, LLC.

More information about the conference can be found at: http://www.merrimanco.com/

For product, dealer and investor information, visit http://www.zapworld.com/

Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, continued acceptance of the Company's products, increased levels of competition for the Company, new products and technological changes, the Company's dependence upon third-party suppliers, intellectual property rights, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Source: ZAP

ZAP Reinvents the Wheel with Advanced Electric Wheel Motor Technology Partner

US Electric Car Maker Signs Exclusive Agreement with PML FlightLink Ltd. of the Hampshire, UK for New Electric Wheel Motor

The ZAP-X crossover electric car concept by Lotus Engineering and ZAP will be equipped with an exclusive new drive system from PML of the UK. The compact SUV will be driven by an electric motor (displayed in the upper right) built into each wheel. (PRNewsFoto/ZAP)

SANTA ROSA, Calif., May 2 -- US electric car maker ZAP (BULLETIN BOARD: ZAAP) signed an exclusive agreement this week for an advanced wheel motor technology from PML FlightLink Limited of Hampshire, United Kingdom.

ZAP secured the PML wheel motor technology to play a key role in the development of next generation electric vehicles being developed with Lotus Engineering. Electric vehicle concepts like the ZAP-X crossover SUV have targeted unprecedented performance goals, including a top speed of 155 mph, 0 to 60 mph acceleration in 4.8 seconds, and a peak 644 horsepower. Steve Schneider, CEO for ZAP, says PML's wheel motor achieves the power to weight ratio to meet the performance goals of the ZAP-X.

"Wheel motors are revolutionizing electric transportation, from our ZAPPY3 electric scooters all the way up to more ambitious projects like the ZAP-X crossover," said Schneider. "We have witnessed the PML wheel motor technology in action and, without question, this the best drive system in the world. "

Schneider pointed out why wheel motors allow automotive designers to achieve greater efficiencies in the overall design, distributing the weight and displacement of the drive train to the four corners of the vehicle. PML's wheel motors don't require intricate braking systems, instead relying on advances in regenerative braking that enhance efficiency and performance.

ZAP has undertaken a feasibility study with Lotus Engineering to explore the development of next generation electric vehicles that incorporate the latest advances in technology. The two companies met last week at ZAP's headquarters in Santa Rosa for discussions with potential suppliers and distributors. In exchange for exclusive rights, ZAP has agreed to an initial order of approximately $10 million in PML wheel motors, subject to terms and conditions agreed on by both parties.

"We've sort of reinvented the wheel," said Chris Newman of PML FlightLink to Car and Driver Magazine. The small British electrical-engineering company led by Martin Boughtwood, PML's director, has produced a remarkable electric Mini to prove the technology. PML FlightLink Limited is a privately held UK corporation with more than 30 years experience in advanced wheel motor and control system development. According to PML, its compact, energy efficient, electric wheel motors produce unrivalled levels of torque with internal heavy-duty tapered roller bearings that can withstand heavy radial loads for robust use, important for the all-wheel drive capability of the ZAP-X.

PML's Hi-Pa Drive(TM) is a literal revolution in motor technology with an integrated motor and drive electronics in one unit producing an ultra high power density -- up to 20 times more than conventional systems. Hi-Pa Drive(TM) is ultra reliable -- 20 times more reliable than conventional systems. It provides high torque in a lightweight flat motor package, ideally suited to vehicle in wheel drives, where its impact on suspension dynamics is minimal. Other features include total weather proofing, total energy transfer, and several levels of redundancy so any single failure will never prevent the vehicle from operating safely.

Learn more at PML's website http://www.pmlflightlink.com/

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/

Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, continued acceptance of the Company's products, increased levels of competition for the Company, new products and technological changes, the Company's dependence upon third-party suppliers, intellectual property rights, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


Source: ZAP