Zap's CEO Steve Schneider did a very interesting audio interview with CEONEWS.Tv recently where he talked about the Zap-X, the Zap-Coke deal and the future of the company. On Zap-X, Schneider says Chinese automaker Youngman owns 51 percent stake in the Detroit Electric joint venture, while Zap owns 49 percent in the company. Schneider explains Detroit Electric will sell higher speed electric vehicles while Zap continues to sell the lower speed vehicles. Schneider says the Youngman relationship is unique because, according to his understanding, there are only a handful of licenses given to Chinese companies to make cars inexpensively (Zap can sell buses for half the price, for example). On the release of the Zap-X, Schneider says it's a 36-month project but did not say when it started (it's been at least 14 months). Schneider did say the Alias is a 18-month project and they are six months into it. Remember that Zap has been talking about the Alias since June 2007, which was eight months ago.

On the recent deal with Coke (Coca-Cola is using thirty of Zap's compact trucks in Montevideo, Uruguay) Schneider says it was spawned from the UPS deal. Schneider explains the UPS deal came from one brave UPS rep that "risked his career" to use Zap trucks and a tractor trailers hub model. The hub model showed bottom line savings for the company and what do you think happened to that UPS rep? He was promoted to a much "larger capacity" position at the San Fran UPS branch! "Quite a few" companies (Schneider won't give out names) have contacted Zap, looking to repeat the model, since that brave UPS rep started the ball rolling.

Schneider also talked about a trip to Dubai and said the Middle East is more interested in electric cars than you might expect. Schneider was asked about the Daimler lawsuit and while he could did not say much, he did say Zap's lawyers tell him it should be settled in three months. Things are changing like the climate Schneider jokes and "the market is finally catching up (after 14 years) to what ZAP has been preaching." Schneider expects Zap to have 100 dealers by the end of this year, up from 56 at a recent meeting. AutoblogGreen is not a stock investing website but we have to admit we are really impressed by this interview and Zap's CEO Steve Schneider responses. He talks a good game, at least.


[Source: CEONEWS.Tv]

Coca-Cola Enterprises plans to add 120 hybrid trucks to its fleet in the US over the next year. The company currently uses two hybrids in the Bronx, NY fleet and plans to add another three to the Bronx fleet in December. Coke's president and CEO, John Brock, and New York Major Michael Bloomberg said a few words at the ceremony introducing the five trucks to the Bronx fleet and NY1 has a short video of the event.

Mayor Bloomberg said, "Sustainable business practices will save businesses money in the long run. That's why we're seeing support for converting the taxi fleet to hybrids, major rental companies like Hertz converting their fleets, and it's why a leader in product distribution like Coca-Cola Enterprises has made this commitment."

Mr. Brock said "Coca-Cola Enterprises has long been responsive to the needs of our local communities, and the expansion of our hybrid-electric fleet in the Bronx demonstrates our commitment to Mayor Bloomberg's call for local industries to be proactive in the search for alternative fuel sources."

According to the press release, Coke did intensive research and design with their suppliers to create the International 4300 truck, with Eaton Hybrid Technology. The truck uses a motor/generator, working with the transmission and a 340 volt battery, to get 32 percent increased fuel efficiency and the trucks can drive on electric power only below 30 MPH. The trucks also saves fuel by not idling at stop lights.

Coke is the largest marketer, distributor, and producer of bottled and canned liquid nonalcoholic refreshment. The Bronx sales center has 90 trucks servicing 8,700 customers in Manhattan and the Bronx, delivering more than 8 million cases of product annually.

What a great early Christmas gift from Coke. I'd like to buy the world a Coke hybrid truck.

Related:

• Wal-Mart receives its first Peterbilt hybrid big rig
• Toyota's Hino Trucks reportedly bringing hybrid trucks to Australia

[Source: Coke press release, NY1]