MAR 27

Electric car company ZAP, which is at the center of much controversy right now due to a recent Wired article, ironically announced the same day this article was published a new, larger electric truck. It is called the ZAP XL Truck, and ZAP is asking for $1,000 deposits to guarantee you get one. Given their track record, I wouldn't give them an old shoe...

The ZAP XL Truck, which will cost you a total of $14,950 before other fees, is described by ZAP as having a greater payload rating. It will get a top speed of 25 MPH and a range of up to 30 miles. Payload for this vehicle is said to be at 770 pounds, compared to 500 pounds for the company's $10,000 Xebra.

ZAP said a prototype of this truck is already completed and that its Chinese manufacturing partner is handling the development after finalizing “an agreement to enter production.” Now we aren't sure whether or not at this point to take full stock in the Wired article, though it is quite convincing. We do feel though it is important to point out the development of vehicles like this, so we've chosen to provide this minimal coverage to ZAP's latest announced electric vehicle.

Comments (7)

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written by Zor, March 28, 2008

what is interesting, is the only company that has and is delivered electric cars is attacked the same week the large auto companies, successfully convince california legislators that they can't mandate electric cars because they don't exist. Have you ever tracked the record of GM, Ford, Toyota, etc. they all announced electric car programs, yet still dont have one for sale. Now who is really being duped here?

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Capital
written by josh, March 28, 2008

The big thing I got from the Wired article was that ZAP is duping small investors to get the capital they need to make these vehicles. The big companies, GM, Ford, Toyota, etc. already have that capital. If ZAP pulls it off they might help some dealers really make some money, but small investors, especially now, don't have the means to keep pouring money into their company in the hope they can get useful electric vehicles to the public. It's all about dollars and cents, and right now small business persons and individuals don't have them to invest in larger quantities.

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Thanks Zor
written by NS, April 26, 2008

... for making a very pertinent point there. ZAP, being a small company with none of the huge resources at its disposal that the auto majors have, is making a valiant effort, against some stiff odds, to come out with EVs that the consumers clearly are asking for.

Lots of companies have promised EVs, but most of them are still at the development stage. a lot of promises and good promises they are to be sure, but nothing up and running yet.

The other advantage that ZAP has is that it has been in the EV business for 13 years now! No one else can make that claim today.

Further, its tie up with Detroit Electric, the original EV manufacturer increases its credibility that much further.

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Thanks Zor
written by NS, April 26, 2008

... for making a very pertinent point there. ZAP, being a small company with none of the huge resources at its disposal that the auto majors have, is making a valiant effort, against some stiff odds, to come out with EVs that the consumers clearly are asking for.

Lots of companies have promised EVs, but most of them are still at the development stage. a lot of promises and good promises they are to be sure, but nothing up and running yet.

The other advantage that ZAP has is that it has been in the EV business for 13 years now! No one else can make that claim today.

Further, its tie up with Detroit Electric, the original EV manufacturer increases its credibility that much further.

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written by Stuart, August 16, 2008

You guys either didn't read that WIRED article or you are intentionally lying about it. The two top managers of the company are issuing stock to themselves, sending out press releases announcing futuristic electric vehicles for sale, then selling the stock when the ZAP stock price goes up based on the press releases. This endless sending out of press releases for cars that never appear, coupled with stock sales, is called "pump and dump" in the financial industry and it is pretty slimy. The article also tells the story of ZAP dealers who paid $100,000 franchise fees and then didn't get the promised vehicles to sell, resulting in losing their life savings. How low can you go????? Countless people who worked (past tense) for ZAP were interviewed for the article and they were so sickened by what they saw, they had to quit.

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American Made EV
written by Brian Locher, August 19, 2009

Columbia ParCar manufactures several street legal electric vehicles. They are made in the USA by a legitimate company.

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written by wedding dresses, October 13, 2009

ZAP is asking for $1,000 deposits to guarantee you get one. Given their track record, I wouldn't give them an old shoe..

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