Danish engineers ready li-ion Zap Xebra with 152-mile range
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Zap, Green Daily
The Zap Xebra is the little electric vehicle that can. It's not the most powerful or safety-tested vehicle on the road, but it does offer zero-emission transportation and carrying capacity and is available today. For electric car scientists at Lithium Balance in Copenhagen, the current-model Xebras with lead acid batteries were lacking and so they teamed up with Zap to develop lithium-ion battery Xebras that can go 152 miles per charge. This upgrade to the Xebra's capabilities - the current range for a Xebra is 25 miles - will be offered to customers "in the near future." While the benefits of lithium-ion batteries such as the increased range and a lighter battery are touted in the press release (read it after the break), the price is not mentioned. Any guesses as to what li-ion will do to the Xebra sedan's $10,500 price tag?[Source: Zap, h/t to Domenick]
Danish Electric Car Scientists Extend Range of ZAP Xebra to 152 Miles With New Battery Management Technology
Lithium Balance Develops Battery Management Technology for ZAP
Electric car scientists extended the range of an electric car by five times to 152 miles using lithium-ion batteries and a proprietary battery management system. California's ZAP and Denmark's Lithium Balance plan to offer an upgrade for the ZAP Xebra pickup in the near future.
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK--(Marketwire - December 10, 2007) - Electric car scientists at Lithium Balance in Copenhagen and ZAP (OTCBB: ZAAP) of California announced results of their latest tests of a new battery management system for lithium batteries, reporting that the Xebra pickup traveled 152 miles on a single charge.
Since January, ZAP and Lithium Balance, formerly Eco Tech A/S, have been collaborating on the development of the new battery management system. ZAP has acquired the exclusive distribution for the technology for integration into its electric vehicle development.
Two Xebra electric vehicles are being used for testing the Lithium Balance battery management system at facilities in Copenhagen. In July, a similar test resulted in a distance traveled of 100 miles per charge.
Lithium Balance's new system helps maximize the efficiency and performance of lithium batteries. The overall system is smaller and lighter, increasing the energy density by eight to ten times compared to the lead acid batteries that are common in today's electric cars. Lithium Balance claims the new system also improves the safety and reliability of large-scale lithium battery packs for automotive applications.
ZAP is currently marketing the Xebra electric sedan and pickup through a global distribution network of auto distributors, dealers and service centers. The Xebra is a unique 'city-car' designed to provide an energy efficient alternative for commuters, multi-car families, businesses and government fleets.
About ZAP
ZAP has been a leader in advanced transportation technologies since 1994, delivering over 100,000 vehicles to consumers in more than 75 countries. At the forefront of fuel-efficient transportation with new technologies including energy efficient gas systems, hydrogen, electric, fuel cell, ethanol, hybrid and other innovative power systems, ZAP has a joint venture to manufacture electric and hybrid vehicles with Youngman Automotive Group, one of China's leading manufacturers of buses and trucks. ZAP is developing a high-performance crossover SUV electric car concept called ZAP-X engineered by Lotus Engineering. ZAP is also developing a new generation of vehicles using advanced nanotech batteries with Advanced Battery Technologies. The Company recently announced a strategic partnership with Dubai-based Al Yousuf Group to expand its international vehicle distribution. ZAP also makes an innovative, new portable energy technology that manages power for mobile electronics from cell phones to laptops. For product, dealer and investor information, visit http://www.zapworld.com.
Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, continued acceptance of the Company's products, increased levels of competition for the Company, new products and technological changes, the Company's dependence upon third-party suppliers, intellectual property rights, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-11-2007 @ 12:25PM
Phil L. said...
I guess the price does something like 2.5X, before accounting for Europe's tax structure...
Reply
12-11-2007 @ 12:27PM
Kardax said...
I doubt ZAP is planning to include a 150 mile battery pack in the Xebra. The cost would be too high, and the Xebra is really too slow to make traveling 150 miles any fun.
If they do anything (and that's a big "if"), it might be to use a lithium pack to boost it to 80 miles of range, adding maybe $7000 or so to price.
Reply
12-11-2007 @ 4:19PM
Smith said...
I can foresee a range war between the manufactures.
Reply
12-11-2007 @ 7:16PM
Domenick said...
Ah, range wars for a new century.
http://www.cnr.uidaho.edu/range456/hot-topics/range-wars.htm
Reply
12-12-2007 @ 2:49PM
Alex Campbell said...
Read carefully, Sebastian. The key here is not the batteries, but the battery management system. Not only is the Xebra available for purchase, it sure makes a great test-bed, eh?
Reply
12-12-2007 @ 6:17PM
JUKEBOX said...
I wish I understood what the "beef" with Zap is
all about. I know that some of their plans have
fallen short of expectations. However they ARE
buliding AND selling a viable all electric city
vehicle (xebra). Who else is?
As to their viabilty as a company, I'm sure Albert
Lam, former ceo for Lotus, left that position cuz
he thought it would be fun to "hitch his star" to
a company that was on the brink of disaster. Al
Yousuf did the same but to make it even more
exciting he bought $5m usd worth of Zap stock.
The Yougman group entered into a joint venture
agreement with Zap cuz they had a little time to
kill.. A branch office of UPS is testing the
xebra for small parcel delivery (shhh.. corp
does'nt know...) There is more but hey this is a
green site, would'nt want to cheer for an underdog
trying to do what big oil and auto won't do unless
forced by government or $ 4.00 gal gas.
Reply
12-22-2007 @ 4:54PM
NO OIL said...
i have to agree with jukebox. show me one company out there that has currently delivered more electric vehicles besides golf carts than ZAP. This is definately not a green site. you bloggers are just trying to make your rankings higher and could care less about being green. Total hypocrites.
There is no way any of those big names would get involved with ZAP if something real wasnt going one.
Either get a real job with Texaco or walk the walk.
Reply
3-16-2008 @ 4:09PM
Chuck Swackhammer said...
I bought the very first ZAP Xebra delivered to Reno in October of 2006 and have enjoyed 8,000 oil and gas free miles so far. I have not had any problems beyond a loose connector on the DC-DC converter and have no complaints. I use it to commute 150 miles/week for a cost of $3.00 in electricity. Looks funny, but saves money :-)
Reply
3-16-2008 @ 9:05PM
Chris M said...
It seems highly unlikely that anyone could use that 152 mile range, considering the slow speeds and restriction to under 40 mph residential streets. It does open up some other possibilities, however.
It could supply enough power for a really good air conditioner.
It could power other electrical items, that could be useful on some jobsites. Put a freezer on the back, and voila! neighborhood ice cream truck!
They might decide to offer a variety of pack sizes, dependent on need.
Or they might go all out and beef up the chassis to make a full speed fully street legal version! ;)
Reply
3-25-2008 @ 2:28PM
joe said...
I"m with you Jukebox, Chris and No Oil!! Talk the talk and Walk the walk!
Today's gas prices or EV...Even the city car Zap has! It's Put your money where your mouth is: Complain about gas prices...Buy an EV or shut up! OH, your GREEN...Buy an EV or shut up! The Xebra's are not perfect, but they are an alternative we didn't have or we don't have anywhere else. Thanks ZAP!
Reply
4-08-2008 @ 9:32PM
Mashland said...
We just spent 3 months researching electric vehicles. We sold a '91 jeep cherokee and a 2000 Nissan Quest in our commitment to go green. After looking at everything THAT IS ACTUALLY AVAILABLE (and THAT is the real challenge), Zap was the only manufacturer who has street legal 100% EV product.
We bought the truck, after a full scale test drive from downtown Portland to our home up in the hilly Southwest section. The Zap truck was terrific.
We have what we have, my friends. Nice to complain and dream and whine, but we have to do what is possible NOW, not when the technology and costs finally get comfortable.
Reply