We recently told you about the Kentucky Senate side-show in which Democrats and Republicans both tried to get legislation started that would make it legal for low-speed vehicles (LSVs) to drive on some roads in the bluegrass state. Now, Governor Steve Beshear has stepped in and signed an executive order that allows LSVs on roads with speed limits of 45 mph or less. Why would he do this? To encourage ZAP! to locate a factory there, of course. While a few weeks ago ZAP! had said there were no "formal conversations" about locating a manufacturing facility there, it certainly appears differently now. First clue: ZAP CEO Steve Schneider was on hand for the signing ceremony and took the governor for a spin in a Xebra afterward. Second clue: At that same event, Beshear also announced that state officials will work "hourly and daily" with ZAP!, a local businessmen Larry Cottingham and Randall Waldman, CEO of Integrity Manufacturing of Bullitt County to develop an incentive package to secure the building of the plant in Kentucky. Hit the jump for lots more news plus bonus video.

*Update: Added video of Governor Beshear's announcement and ensuing press conference.


[Source: McClatchy / Business First / Courier-Journal / SMASHgods]

Zap! CEO Steve Schneider was on the CNBC program "Power Lunch" today and a video of his short visit is now online. The clip starts with an update on Ford and GM's sales numbers, but then shifts to Schneider talking about hedge fund interest in Zap! The CNBC host says she is excited about the price of Zap!'s cars (~$10,000) and we see footage of the Obvio and the Xebra. The one bit of news in the piece is when Schneider says that Dominoes wants to use Zap! vehicles for pizza delivery, which is something I've not heard or read elsewhere.

I couldn't get the video to embed correctly, but you can watch it by clicking on the image or the Read link.

[Source: CNBC)

In January's State of the Union address, President Bush called for a 20 percent reduction in American gasoline consumption by 2017. In the city of Oakland, California, they're thinking bigger: oil independence by 2020.

The road to this future is paved with coal, nuclear or some other electricity-generating power source, because Professor CC Chan, a member of Altair Nanotechnologies' Scientific Advisory Board and founder of the International Research Centre for Electric Vehicles at the University of Hong Kong, and Steve Schneider, CEO for Bay Area's ZAP!, say that pure electric cars are the way to reach the goal.

The two attended the inaugural meeting for the Oil Independent Oakland by 2020 Task Force last week at Oakland City Hall and the coolest catch phrase to come out of the meeting is "green collar jobs," and the big idea it to make electric cars in the Bay Area.

Chan listed six specific ways to eliminate oil from the city's diet. As Telematics Journal writes:

First, every second car in multi-car families should be a 100% battery powered electric car. Second, every first car in multi-car families should be a plug-in hybrid. Third, residential and commercial buildings should integrate renewable energy technologies, like solar, wind and underground heat pumps. Fourth, optimizing energy storage, usage and co-generation between homes, cars and work can achieve greater levels of success. Fifth, incentives need to be implemented, like free parking for electric vehicles or rebates to incorporate photovoltaic power to homes and businesses. Finally, the creation of green industry including manufacturing of electric vehicles and their components, flexible and universal energy packages including batteries and recycling of batteries will help expand the infrastructure.

We'll check back with Oakland in thirteen years and see where they're at.

Related:

• Yahoo: President Bush to call for 20 percent reduction in gasoline consumption by 2017

[Source: Telematics Journal]