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Look out Tesla... ZAP building electric supercar
January 30, 2007 - by Dallas Kachan, Cleantech Group
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It may look more like a Porche Cayenne SUV than a Tesla Roadster, but today's announcement of a forthcoming ZAP (BULLETIN BOARD: ZAAP)/Lotus electric car promises to set new standards in range, top speed and charging time.
This isn't to be the kinder, gentler yet odd-looking electric vehicle the market has come to expect from ZAP. Named the ZAP-X, the new vehicle is to be based on Lotus Engineering's existing APX concept car body structure (pic below.)
The svelte, yet practically-sized new vehicle will be previewed at this weekend's North American Dealers Association (NADA) annual meeting in Las Vegas.
A combination of lightweight aluminum structure, a new efficient drive and an advanced battery system is intended to enable a range of up to 350 miles between charges and a top speed of 150 miles an hour, ZAP said today.
By contrast, the Tesla Motors Roadster sportscar has a published 250 mile range, and top speed in the vicinity of 130 miles an hour.
Yet the most aggressive claim may be in the APX's charging time. While the Tesla Roadster needs to be plugged in overnight, ZAP claims the ZAP-X will only require 10 minutes for a full recharge of its batteries. That'd be a full "tank", yielding another 350 miles, they company said, in the time it takes for a roadside washroom break.
While ZAP director of communications Alex Campbell wouldn't comment to the Cleantech Group on the battery technology behind the claims, we noted similarities in statistics several months ago trumpeted by Reno, Nevada-based Altairnano (NASDAQ: ALTI) of its nanotech-based batteries (see Altair shows off all-electric SUV with nanotech batteries.) Altairnano had talked previously of being able to power an SUV for 350+ miles, and being able to fully charge its battery in 10 minutes.
This afternoon, Altairnano spokesperson Fayth Ross would not confirm or deny to the Cleantech Group that it was working with ZAP.
ZAP plans to replace Lotus' APX's conventional gasoline V6 engine with revolutionary in-hub electric motors, delivering 644 horsepower in all wheel drive mode and theoretically capable of powering the ZAP-X to a potential top speed of 155mph.
"There are a lot of companies creating really exciting motors in the marketplace. Our goal at ZAP has always been to identify the technologies that are closest to market. We're going to be using low cost motors that are ready for production or off the shelf," said ZAP's Campbell.
The Lotus APX, upon which the ZAP-X is to be based.
ZAP is targeting the $60,000 USD price range for the ZAP-X, with expected availability in 2008. Because the car is to be all-electric, the company expects to bypass many of the emissions requirements of new cars, Campbell said, noting the company has substantial experience in electric vehicle production and marketing.
"We've been in this business 12 years. We think the market is finally catching up to what we’ve been preaching."
ZAP has built a network of 25 dealers around the world, with recent inroads into Latin America.
"We try to focus on low cost solutions that can fit world markets, not just the U.S.," said Campbell.
Read all of the Cleantech Group's coverage of ZAP here.
Copyright © 2007 Cleantech Group LLC. All rights reserved, including right of redistribution.
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Comments
Just how much experience does ZAP have?
Submitted on February 4th, 2007 by InterestedReaderI don't want to rain on anyone's parade, but I have to question just how much experience ZAP has in building electric cars. Their tricycle-style Zebra hasn't had huge uptake anywhere in the world. The vast majority of the 90,000 vehicles they claim to have sold are, apparently, scooters.
I wish the co. well. I hope they can pull this off. I love underdogs! But I'd wager that the Chevy Volt, which will likely be cheaper than the ZAP-X and widely available through GM dealers, will see bigger uptake in the short term.
Chevy Volt?
Submitted on April 13th, 2007 by InterestedReaderWheres the beef? GM will wait for the perfect battery and launch this car by 2025.
the wise man sits and observes the fool rushes to judgement
Submitted on April 30th, 2008 by Thomas Hood II (not verified)In this technology now making great forward strides, it is in my opinion too early to tell how these different ideas will manifest in successful usable application. But why do people always jump to negative conclusion about how effective or accepted these new technologies will become? If we have learned anything from the past century, it should be that where there is a will there is a way. The fact that there are those committed to making these ideas come to life, is a testament to the probability that we will see many if not all of these ideas come to fruition. However unrealistic some of the claims may seem, we need to remind ourselves of great minds like Nikola Tesla who was laughed at when he prophesied what has come to life in the form of the Internet, and more elementary the prediction, that the entire world would use AC power to meet every day demands for survival!
Zap-X
Submitted on February 13th, 2008 by G (not verified)I thought this one was going to be around the 30k range. At 60k, I won't be getting one of these. Will probably hold out for the Volt.
Saving the Planet one EV at a time
Submitted on June 16th, 2009 by Alert Driver (not verified)My finding, after doing research, is that ZAP has actually sold a large number of vehicles over many years. Although their main focus has been scooters they have designed, produced and ut out onto the market many EVs. In fact I just saw one of their trucks the other day, full of produce!
Given the current state (and history) of GM vehicles I much rather pay a few dollars more for a ZAP! vehicle and know it's going to last rather than cheap out on a GM and have it breaking down at every turn and not being backed what GM has to offer these days..which is very little.
Alex, is that you?
Submitted on September 29th, 2009 by AntiZap (not verified)Just like in the Wired Zap Article, Zap has its goons commenting with pro-Zap messages. This is certainly a zap employee. Don't be fooled people. These people are great con artists and are really into the GREEN (money).
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