Who wasn't impressed with Zap back in April when they announced a $79 million order for their electric vehicles? It was great news, but the more we thought about it, the more it seems fishy.

We often take Zap a little less seriously than other companies because, while we certainly can't deny the existence of their Xebra three-wheeled cars or their cool electric scooters, all Zap products that aspire to be anything more than a niche vehicle have - so far - been nothing more than a series of press releases and some computer-rendered images. Today, we're going to take you on a ride deep into Zap territory, and things might get ugly. Buckle up.

Last weekend, the San Jose Mercury News ran a story by Matt Nauman about a "Green automaker ready to climb out of red." The subject was Zap, and the upshot of the story was that, thanks to that $79 million dollar order, Zap was ready to stop losing so much money (it's gone bankrupt once before) and is just about to turn the corner and become a real player in the electric vehicle business.

Zap CEO Steve Schneider played the part of the excited green entrepreneur for Nauman, saying, "We haven't really been profitable ever, but we've never been where we can actually execute up to now. The demand has become crazy."

Oh, really?

Let's investigate after the jump.

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

Things are happening on the Zap! CUV front. The electric vehicle company announced today that it held talks with the management team of Lotus Engineering in Santa Rosa, CA over the weekend. The details we'd like to hear, of course, were not released, but Lotus' CEO Albert Lam, Project Manager Steven Woolley, and U.S. West Coast Operations Manager Rexford Park, were on hand to discuss the next steps to develop the CUV or other next-gen Zap! vehicles.

I remember hearing a while back that Lotus had agreed to nothing more than provide design plans to Zap! for a possible all-electric ZAP-X based on the Lotus APX (pictured). This meeting might point to a more serious collaboration between the two, as ZAP CEO Steve Schneider said he expects to announce more developments soon and that this meeting helps "to take the venture to the next level." We'll see.



[Source: Autoindustry UK]

ZAP CEO Steve Schneider just returned from a trip to Europe where, among other things, he got together with representatives from Group Lotus and Lotus Engineering. ZAP has announced plans to build a battery powered crossover based on the Lotus APX design study. Unlike Tesla who kept details of their Roadster fairly quiet until they actually had at least real prototypes, ZAP is racing ahead issuing press releases with some pretty amazing specifications and sketches but little else tangible.

Given the engineering prowess at Lotus, if anyone can come close to living up to ZAPs claims, they are the ones. Lotus has made great advancements in developing strong lightweight aluminum structures through their work on the Elise. Light weight is important for electric vehicles to compensate for the extra weight of batteries. Apparently, Schneider was unaware of what Lotus was capable of prior to visit, which makes one wonder what else he is actually aware of.

[Source: ZAP]

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!]

While there is already one Lotus-designed all-electric car making headlines, the Tesla Roadster, perhaps it's time to get spoiled. We might soon find out what Lotus can do for electric car company Zap!, which currently operates in the NEV market. An exterior redesign does not automatically come with dramatic changes under the hood, but NEVs might evolve far beyond their current boxy or too-futuristic looks if this arrangement works out.

The details of the deal are that Lotus Engineering is working on a feasibility study for Zap! to develop "a number" of new electric cars. The idea is to integrate major components, like new motor designs, controllers, batteries and charging systems to build a stylish EV with maximum consumer appeal. Lotus technical centers in Hethel, UK, Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, will be involved in the study.

I'm not sure how this relates to the news from Obvio! (of Brazil) late last month that it had picked Lotus Engineering to help develop two new microsports cars. Obvio!'s distribution partner in North America is Zap! We'll try and find out.

Related:

• Obvio! contracts Lotus to design trybrid cars

[Source: Just-Auto (subs req'd)]