Things may be looking up for the somewhat controversial electric vehicle company "ZAP" since Mr Al Yousuf took control of the company the other day. Just after the change at the top happened, the California Air Resource Board added two ZAP models to their list of vehicles eligible for a rebate. Actually, it's the California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE) who hands out the cash on their behalf, as we mentioned when we told you the Vectrix was on the list. The money pile for the program has shrunk somewhat since that post and as of this writing there remains only $468,900. The rebate is worth $1,000 off the purchase of a Xebra sedan or truck and we suggest you take one for a test drive before buying.

Also in the past few days, ZAP has "acquired an ownership interest" in an electric motor company. The name of the company isn't known but we think it may well be located in China as they had mentioned working with such a company before. They seem to specialize in-wheel motors and the press release states that they are "developing a 7000-watt wheel motor for larger vehicle applications." In a departure from past ZAP practices, no prototype sketches accompanied the news but we will let you know when if the motor debuts in a new product. Press releases are after the jump.

If you live in California and have a hankerin' for some quality electric maxi-scooter action, it's time to grab your checkbook and head for your nearest Vectrix dealership. The California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE) has been busy dishing out rebates for a select few rides and there is only so much cash left in the kettle.

The "Fueling Alternatives" program lists a small number of natural gas-powered vehicles that qualify for the rebate but apparently the money reserved for those has already run out. The only other eligible vehicle manufacturers left are GEM and Vectrix and, unless you live in a gated community or on a golf course, I would go with the 62 mph-capable Vectrix.

If you live in Northern California, there is a San Francisco-based dealer, British Motor Cars Distributors, who would be happy to take your order and, according to their website, they deliver. San Rafael residents might want to give Marin BMW Motorcycles a ring. For the rest of California, hang tight, help may soon be on the way. More info after the jump.

In a move similar to London's push to charge for parking on a sliding scale related to vehicle emissions, employees at BP's Alternative Energy facility in Houston receive free parking if they drive the very greenest vehicles. BP pays for its employees parking based on their vehicle's emission levels, providing completely free parking only to highly efficient models like the Honda Civic Hybrid.

The parking fees paid by the company are calculated based on the number of tons of greenhouse gases the vehicle emits annually based on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency figures. Following are examples of the parking rebate for different models.

$75 credit (free parking) for emitting less than 5 tons of greenhouse gases a year:

• Honda Civic Hybrid
• Toyota Camry Hybrid

$50 credit for emitting less than 6 tons of greenhouse gases a year:

• Volkswagen Golf Diesel
• Pontiac Vibe
• Ford Escape Hybrid FWD

$25 credit for emitting between 6 and 7 tons of greenhouse gases a year:

• Ford Fusion
• Mazda MX5
• Chevrolet Flexfuel E85 Impala
• Mercedes Benz E320 Diesel

No credit is paid for vehicles emitting over 7 tons of greenhouse gases a year.

Taking public transport hasn't been forgotten either with works taking the bus or train having their travel passes fully paid for. The scheme has proven so successful that around 75 percent of workers now take the bus.

Analysis: its great to see more people taking public transport to work. Obviously its never going to work for everyone, but grab an iPod and a newspaper and commuting really isn't too bad on public transport. I'm all for sliding parking scales based on emissions and free parking for highly efficient vehicles like hybrids. Like electricity where if you use more you have to pay for it, I think people need to start realising that high emissions vehicles are consuming more than just lots of fuel.

Related:

• London parking authority setting fees based on CO2 emissions
• And now for something completely different: more personal transportation choices!

[Source: Tom Fowler / Houston Chronicle]