News and rumors regarding electric cars have been increasing in these past few months, so I thought I’d do a little reading up on the most salient models that are being talked about.
This time around we’ll look at a company that already makes electric scooters, bikes, tricycles, ATVs, small utility vehicles, and has several great looking cars under development, most notably their crossover SUV, the…
Zap-X
Launch date: 2008- Price: $60,000 (target). You can reserve it online for $20,000.
- Top speed: 155 mph (250 km/h)
- Autonomy: 350 miles (560 kms) between charges
- Battery life: N/A
- Battery charge time: 10 minutes.
- 0-60 MPH (0-100 km/h): 4.8 seconds
- Chassis: Lotus Engineering
- Technology partners: Lotus Engineering, Altairnano (batteries)
- Company HQ: Santa Rosa, California
- Founders: Gary Starr
- CEO: Steve Schneider
- Sales estimates: Not announced.
- Dealer network: They’re building it, already have several on board.
- Website: http://www.zapworld.com
Latest news
Zap just announced a partnership with Chinese manufacturer Youngman Automotive Group for creating and selling electric buses, trucks, passenger vehicles including the Zap-X.
Youngman employs 4,000 people in China, and currently has seven new vehicle factories under development with which they plan to reach an annual capacity of 200,000 vehicles. They are China’s "number one luxury motor coach and high-quality commercial truck manufacturer".
Through this venture, Youngman will manufacture vehicles and components; Zap will handle sales, marketing and distribution of all vehicles they jointly produce. The deal includes creating battery- and energy-recharging infrastructure components and technology.
According to Edmunds,
The move effectively gives Zap a mammoth test bed for developing electric vehicles, and the critical infrastructure needed to support it before it can become a mainstream alternative in developed automotive markets like the United States and Europe.
Curious facts
Will boast an onboard touch-screen computer running Windows XP, with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, high-def video, iPod port, Fire-wire, USB2 ports, mini USB ports and GPS.
But the big design breakthrough of the Zap-X is achieved with four in-wheel electric motors that will give the car an inhuman combined output of 644 HP. The current most powerful SUV is the G 55 AMG Mercedes Benz at 469 HP.
Insightful quotes
Says ZAP co-founder Gary Starr,
"If you build them, they will come. There has been too much talk about electric cars, endless amounts of research, and way too much emphasis on improving the technology when today’s electric vehicles are already practical and affordable. Everyone who is saying the time is now for electric cars should go out and start driving one today."
And on the recent Zap-Youngman joint venture, Zap CEO Steve Schneider says,
"This is the most significant relationship that Zap has ever entered into. Using renewable energy to provide a cost-effective recharging infrastructure to customers, we can change the world, one vehicle at a time."
Read more
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Tags: Zap, Zap-X, Lotus Engineering, Altairnano, Steve Schneider, Gary Starr, automotive, auto industry, automotive industry, China, Chinese auto industry, Chinese automotive industry, alternative energy, electric cars
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The Li Nian venture is actually a joint project between Honda and their current joint venture partner in China, Guangzhou Automobile Group.
Posted by almcclymont 
Launch date: 2010 (?)
Launch date: Fall 2007 (UK and Norway), possibly 2008 for U.S.
Launch date: At least early 2008.
Price: $32,000
The Light Is Green 