ZAP sells $5.1 million in EVs

"Zap, that developer of electric sedans and and trucks, may be beginning to finally see a following developing here in the United States. The company recently announced it hosted its largest monthly dealer seminar to date, which resulted in some 614 of its vehicles sold while also adding six new car dealers to its network.

Zap said the mix of cars sold include its Zapino scooters, ZAPPY3 PRO, ZAPPY3 EZ and the ZAP Mid-Sized ATV. The overall total for the sale? A little over $5.1 million. Dealers are expecting Zap to deliver a minimum of ten cars a month over the next year. The car manufacturer, which sells its vehicles in 54 locations around the country, is shooting for a goal of 100 dealers by the end of the year and expects to have more dealers added shortly.

In other Zap news, the company also talked about plans for a joint venture with China Youngman to make "highway capable" electric and hybrid vehicles. It feels like this may well be possible by the second quarter of next year. It sure is an exciting time in electrics..."  (EcoGeek)

 I did a 10 week internship at ZAP during the spring of 2007 and I have been following ZAP on autobloggreen.com and the Xebra Yahoo group. Sean at Grant Pass Electric autos in Oregon has posted some pictures of the 2008 Xebra models, including the pickup. The link is below:

http://www.gpev.us/gpage1.html

The sedan now has a hatchback and looks more like a 'normal' car.

I have to applaud ZAP for developing their EV even though the vehicle only satisfies a small niche market. My parents would be candidates for an EV but unfortunately in order to get around their town they need a vehicle that can do at least 45 MPH. The Xebra gets close but without after market modifications 45 mph cannot be achieved with this vehicle. But for some folks an EV with a 40 mph top speed and 25 mile range is all they need. For these people the Xebra is a great choice that can really low peoples carbon foot print and save them a lot of money since a Xebra is less than most new cars and only cost approximately $.02 per mile to operate. Even when you factor in the cost of replacing the entire battery pack ($200 x 6 batteries = $1200) it is still a lot cheaper than driving a gas car.

Have they overcome the delivery issues from earlier this year?  Dealers were taking issue with giving deposits on expected deliveries that did not come, or were very behind schedule - causing some to begin to classify them as "vaporware".  They have delivered a number of vehicles, so they are not vaporware, but are they keeping up with orders?  Just wondering if anyone has updates on this?

I think their vehicles are very cool for the niche they are targeting.  Reducing our country's oil consumption is a large puzzle - and vehicles like the Xebra line may not be a big piece, but they are a piece none-the-less.  Every little step counts  :-)

As far as I know ZAP hasn't had any delivery problems for a while now.  Additionally, once they build their manufacturing plant in Kentucky scheduled for completion next year, that definitely shouldn't be a problem.