Will Tesla soon have competition in the electric supercar market from Zap? They just might, if you believe the almost unbelievable statistics Zap! is claiming in their press release (a really big if). Information at this point leads us to believe that Zap!, like fellow electric carmaker Phoenix, will be using batteries purchased from Altairnano. Claims from Zap! indicate that their vehicle with these batteries will be able to travel 350 miles between charges, after a charge time of only 10 minutes. Phoenix claims a similarly short charge time for their vehicles with the Altairnano batteries.

Other interesting "green features" of the vehicle include solar charging from the vehicles glass. We have pondered the possibility of this before, and now it seems it may become a reality. Don't expect the solar charging to add a significant amount of drive time however, perhaps the vehicles accessories won't drain the batteries so fast. Don't expect a great deal of luggage space, however, the vehicle does have 4 doors, making it a more practical choice than some other potential electric vehicles. The dimensions of the vehicle indicate it will be slightly larger than the Toyota Prius. Here is one statistic that the Prius can't touch... how about up to 644 horsepower and a top speed of 155 mph? This performance would come with all-wheel-drive courtesy of a motor in each wheel.

Click for more about the vehicle, and another concept drawing.



[Source: ZAP via Insidegreentech]

Click on the image for a high-res gallery of Lotus APX images

A couple of weeks ago we had a story about the next model from Tesla possibly being a crossover utility. A reader asked whether the rumored vehicle might be based on the Lotus APX concept which was unveiled last year. Tesla subsequently rebutted the idea and said they are indeed building a sedan.

Well the idea of a battery powered APX obviously appealed to someone, because today Zap! has announced that the first product of their new collaboration with Lotus will be the ZAP-X, based on the APX. The ZAP-X will use in-hub electric motors in place of the V-6 gas engine. According the Zap! press release the combination of motors will provide 644 horsepower in all wheel drive mode and potentially drive the aluminum-structured vehicle to 155 mph. The hub motors will also allow extra batteries and an auxiliary power unit to be mounted under hood. Zap! is estimating the range at 350 miles and a recharge time of 10 minutes, although that fast charge time would almost assuredly have to be via a 480-volt charging system. Presumably Zap! will be using the new battery management system they licensed for this vehicle. Zap! will be displaying the APX at in North American Dealers Association (NADA) annual meeting and exhibition, February 3 to 6 in Las Vegas. So far there is no information on price or timing of the new vehicle. Check out the Zap! press release after the jump.

Update: We got word from Dallas over at InsideGreenTech that they have been in contact with the crew from Zap! and have some additional details on the Zap-X. Go check out their article here.



[Source: Zap!]