San Jose paper says Zap might soon climb out of debt, but that doesn't make it true... {Autoblog Green}

Jan 19th 2008 11:27PM Electric Vehicle Co. was a flop. ZAP thought something was there made the claim and the EVC fell through.

As far as the ZAP X is concerned it will be made of the right stuff if it is made. The drive system is going to be the PML Hi-Pa drive system which is claimed by PML Flightlink to be the most advanced drive system in the world. Full regen to a stop, built in controller, and hub motors. They basically bolt them onto the hub add batteries and you have a electric car.

Zap has made deals with Altair Nanotech batteries. They will go into the Xebras this spring. This gets the Xebra to 100-150 miles.

The platform for the car is well know APX (aluminum performance crossover). The Lotus engineering CEO left Lotus to join the Zap board of directors. Here is What Mr. Lam has to say
"This project with ZAP is a dream come true because it involves integrating new technologies for the next generation of automobiles," said Mr. Lam. "The technology is ready for electric vehicles so they will not have the stigma that they used to have; they don't have to be slow; they can have a long range; and they can be exciting to look at."

The Youngman Group in China will manufacture the X. Normally China has its issues living up to American standards of quality. The Youngman Group produces Luxury Buses and public transportation like buses. Well see it they can produce the claimed 200,000 vehicles with quality.

Zap has been doing this since 94. I don't think they have been in it that long to screw their investors. They might of been waiting for technology and economy to permit a electric car. Sounds more realistic. But then again I may just be optimistic.

I believe the combination of technologies in the Zap X are much more possible then the Tesla Roadster with 6000+ batteries and transmission problems. Zap is going with off the shelf parts and proven technology. The ZAP X is also a cheaper and more practical car model then the Tesla.