Spark-EV's Michael Papp's future might not be looking up. As you probably remember, Papp was arrested last week for not delivering 14 electric vehicles to two companies, Electric Cars of Houston and Electric Transportation of Arkansas. Penn Live has posted an article from The Express-Times that says that the local District Attorney, John Morganelli, is checking into filing additional charges against Papp. Morganelli said that Papp has been on his radar for a while.

Papp now says he plans to refund the $100,000 he accepted from the two EV companies "but could not immediately give back the wired payments," the Express-Times wrote. Papp also said he can prove the cars are ordered and en route to the two companies. We'll see, won't we?

[Source: Penn Live]

Thanks to our reader Mike, we have an update to share about the troubled history of Michael Papp electric vehicle company. Regular readers will remember that Papp is the man behind Spark EV, a company that has been accused more than once of shady dealings. It looks like the New Jersey law officials agree, and have decided to step in to put a stop to Papp's scam.

According to the Express Times, Papp was arrested Friday after failing to deliver 14 electric vehicles to Electric Cars of Houston (which had ordered 10) and Electric Transportation of Arkansas (four). Papp is charged with bilking them for almost $100,000, according to court records. The EVs were paid for in January and February, and Papp told the payers the vehicles would be delivered March 14. They weren't. After trying to track down what happened, the companies asked for a refund. Papp answered that he was filing for bankruptcy, so no go. Apparently, Papp is in Northampton County Prison and being held on $20,000 bail. We'll have more on this as things move forward, I can guarantee you that.

[Source: The Express Times]

Certain companies in the electric vehicle field generate a lot of flack. LionEV is one example. The last time we wrote about Spark-EV (and the time before) all sorts of accusations flew in our comments section about the reliability of the company's statements and products. There shouldn't be as big of an outcry this time around, as we're just here to report that Spark-EV has announced the discontinuation of one model, the 6000zk 6000/2 (also known as the Flybo) by Spark-EV. Spark-EV's Michael Papp said in an email that quality concerns and the fact that other companies were "importing the same or similar vehicle" meant that Spark-EV would drop the model. Papp said his company will only sell vehicles that are exclusive to Spark-EV. Most of Spark-EV's business comes from importing vehicles from China and converting them to electric drive.

The more interesting news in the email, thought, is that the Flybo announcement is going to be the first "of three major updates to our company which you will receive via email." Read the whole thing after the jump and speculate away in the comments.

I recently wrote about a company called Spark EV that plans to sells Zotye, a $20,000, highway speed, electric SUV soon. Unfortunately, the order page says the company is not taking new orders even though it seemed the cars were for sale. What's going on? Too much demand! Michael Papp of Spark EV tells me his "back of my mind" goal for Zotye sales for this year was 250-300. Michael soon found demand would be a tad higher.

According to Papp, the company sent out 1,000 emails on January 11th, 2008 to everyone on the company's email list telling them the Zotye was available for sale. 10 days later 600 people were asking where to send their money. Some people simply sent the money (which the company returned). Papp said that no new orders are being accepted at the website "to slow this down. No matter how good the car is, how we perform in the beginning will define this company. We will get the first requested cars out, follow up, get feedback, and only then will we take more orders."

So, there are some lucky people out there getting an electric Zotye soon. The company is ramping up for orders and even looking at other platforms to convert to electric. Spark EV's Zotye may beat Miles and Zap to the market with a normal, affordable electric car. You could say they already have. It does not look like you have to worry about highway speed qualifications either. The cars are based on Daihatsu Terios. The Chinese company behind it looks like it makes good products and wants to come to US.

Watch out Miles and Zap. Spark EV's Zotye is the new it electric car on the block. What has this experience taught Papp? Continue below the fold to read how he described a TV commercial that he used to enjoy.

Related:

• Zotye electric SUV: $20,000, highway speed, 100-mile range and just 60 DAYS AWAY!

[Source: Michael Papp of Spark EV]

I was watching a new report about Arkansas' first electric car dealership, Electric Transportation of Arkansas (you can see it for yourself below the fold). Electric car dealerships that sell low speed electric vehicles you can legally drive around most neighborhoods aren't anything new in the U.S. I was almost not going to write about it ... until the newscaster says the ETA will sell a highway-speed electric SUV for $20,000 with 100-mile range!

The ETA site just has a pdf about the car but the Spark EV site says the SUV, called Zotye, is talking orders RIGHT NOW for delivery in just 60 DAYS. Even more unbelievable is that the Spark EV site says a "fuel cell" upgrade will be available this August. I looked for more information and only found another similar, recent news report about Electric Transportation of Arkansas and Zotye. The company that makes Zotye is apparently Chinese and got clearance to go on the highway.

If anyone knows anything else, please post it in comments or see our contact page. We're quite interested in anything you have on this one! If it's actually released, the Zotye will be a very important first.

[Source: Spark EV tipster tim mcleod]