Question Thread for Gary Starr, ZAP! co-founder

Over the last year, we have seen a significant increase in interest in electric vehicles. From the Tesla Roadster to the Zap Xebra, EVs come in all shapes and sizes. 

ZAP! offers a variety of electric cars and scooters, including the Zapino electric scooter, and has shown off some prototypes, like the Alias.  There's also been a fair amount of debate since WIRED magazine offered up a bit of criticism but others argue that ZAP! is making big strides and changing the world of electric vehicles.

What would you like to know about ZAP?  Gary Starr, ZAP! co-founder and chairman emeritus, will be answering your questions.  Submit them here and perhaps yours will be among the winners.

Things to remember:

• Make sure to submit only 1 question per post (but feel free to ask as many questions as you like)
• Check back to vote on the questions you'd most like to have answered by Gary(use the "Rate Post" thumb up to vote)

At the beginning of November, we'll send the 10 best questions over to Gary and post his answers ASAP.

Check out the Interview Guidelines for a bit more help if you need it. Good luck - may the best questions win!

Edited by stins - Wed, 22 Oct 2008 01:45:33 GMT

Congratulations on breaking ground on your new facility in Kentucky.  It's great to see both jobs and EV manufacturing coming back to the states. 

Has ZAP decided exactly what this facility will be used for?  For example, will it be used to produce the ZAP Alias, and will it be used to manufacture individual components of your vehicles, or focus more for assembly?

Does ZAP have any concept vehicles in the works besides the Alias and ZAP-X, and what's the status of these 2 cars?

With recent gas prices going through the roof, it has gotten a lot of average, non-green minded consumers thinking about alternatives to gas powered vehicles. Aside from gas price fluctuations, what do you see as an important catalyst to getting electric vehicles over the hump and more into the mainstream?

What are some of the challenges you've faced in producing your line of vehicles?  How have you overcome them?

What are the obstacles you see when it comes to consumer adoption of low-speed electric vehicles?  What are you doing to over come those obstacles?

How has ZAP! been working to recover its image since word of inflated product claims began to float around in the media?

What long term role do you think NEVs play in the world market? Are they just transition vehicles to full EVs or do you seem them playing a permanent role in a system with vehicles specialized to certain uses (ie, NEVs for the neighborhood but something like a PHEV Prius for the highway in each garage)?

There's a whole lot of development in battery technology going on.  For example, various different types of lithium ion batteries, nanotechnology, and ultracapacitors.  Which types of batteries do you at ZAP see as the most promising?

 Zap! had sold an imported enclosed 3-wheel vehicle in 2004, but no longer sold those pedal and electric vehicles since 2005; is this model (E-Pod) or a similar pedal/electric planned in the near future?  

What do you think the effect of the economic downturn will be on EV demand and sales?

The cost of Kentucky ZAP plant more than doubled from the estimated $84 million to $175. How was this possible? How will you cover the increased cost? Considering that this was before the current economy crisis: has the cost increased even more? Are you still set to have the plant online later in 2009?

I just read that Zap had a record quarter shipping 240 vehicles!  That is great.  I also noticed that the increased sales has allowed you to grow your company and hire new employees (an increase of 30% according to one article).  Will we be seeing some improvements in dealer relations and marketing as a result of this?

I see that your website has been updated to include the "new and improved" sedan.  But I have noticed that not much of the information regarding the vehicles has changed.  Will we start seeing a bigger promotion of options like solar and lithium?  With the extension of the solar tax credit, I think that lithium, despite the expense will become a popular item if paired with solar (30% tax credit on the cost of the panel and batteries), but I do not see any advertisement for this on your site.  I have heard that the lithium option costs about $10,000, is this number accurate?  If so, the Xebra line of vehicles would have the same range of the proposed Alias at a significantly lower cost.

Is there any chance of the development of an option between the Xebra and the Alias?  More specifically a vehicle that would get speeds up to 50-55mph but not necessarily be interstate legal.  Many people do not use the interstate and I feel that increasing the speed of the Xebra by even this small amount would make drivers more comfortable and able to keep up with traffic.  What are the chances of offering a 96 volt version of the Xebra with a new controller that raises the governed speed?

Does Zap have any plans of using regenerative technology in their vehicles?  (Whether regenerative braking or using the front wheel(s) to generate while coasting...)

I listened to the audio investors pitch on the ZAP web site with much interest in the ZAP-X crossover.  In the pitch it is stated that the ZAP-X would be in production in 2010 or 2011.  Now, with news that Tesla is having to push back the production time line of its Model S because of the current credit crisis, is ZAP planing to push back (or even cancel)  the production launch of the ZAP-X crossover?

Where do you see Zap in five years?  What will happen to your 5 year plan if a major car company produces a fully electric vehicle for mass markets?

How is the Board of Directors currently configured?  Is there a system of checks and balance or oversight in place?

Do you think Zap has made any significant mistakes as a business?  If yes, what knowledge was gained, and how have you altered operations as a result?

I believe in ZAP.  It's frustrating to see how difficult the market for electric transportation is.  What do you think it will take in the end to finally break through?

What technology is ZAP focusing on to be competitive in electric vehicles?

Who do you see as your biggest competitor?

ZAP never sold that vehicle, only put it on its website for co-promotional purposes only.  Not viewed as a big seller.

Thanks for the reply.  Electric cars have a terrible habit of running out of juice or going haywire at the worst time, which make pedals necessary.  German Twike 2 seater has pedals, but that model is more than most people need!.  Very sad that concept is unpopular.

Thanks for all the great questions!  This thread is now closed.  Head over here to read all of Gary Starr's answers.