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Chicago's Sopraffina Marketcaffe is rolling out a new solar electric car from ZAP |
Chicago's Sopraffina Marketcaffe to Unveil Solar-Electric Catering Vehicle
in Chicago
CHICAGO, April 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Chicago's Sopraffina Marketcaffe
today is celebrating Earth Day with the unveiling of a new, first-of-its-kind,
100 percent solar-electric powered catering vehicle. La Grange Park electric car
dealer Jessup's Automotive helped bring the vehicle to Chicago as part of a
dealer network being formed by ZAP (BULLETIN BOARD: ZAAP) .
The modified ZAP Xebra truck being unveiled on Earth Day at Sopraffina's 222
West Adams location runs on electric power throughout the day and can be charged
by solar panels located on the roof. At night, the vehicle recharges at a
standard outlet. Owner Dan Rosenthal had the car modified for catering in
downtown Chicago.
"The economic impact on companies is marginal and the environmental impact is
huge," said Dan Rosenthal, president of The Rosenthal Group, which owns five
Sopraffina Marketcaffes as well as Trattoria #10 and Poag Mahone's. "Electric
vans should become the vehicle of choice for city-based deliveries. Every minute
our van is on the street it is telling our potential clients that we are making
a serious effort to help the environment. We're delighted to be the first in
Chicago to have this type of vehicle."
The delivery vehicle is part of several initiatives The Rosenthal Group is
taking to make Sopraffina one of the greenest restaurants in the city:
Sopraffina Marketcaffe is a founding member organization of the Green Chicago
Restaurant Co-op (http://www.buygreenchicago.org/). Started in October
2007, the Co-op has grown to include nearly 100 restaurants.
The Xebra truck hits a top speed of 40 MPH and is virtually silent during
operation. It was modified with special compartments to keep insulated catering
containers secure so food remains at the correct temperature during delivery.
The vehicle does not require gasoline, diesel fuel, oil or any of the regular
maintenance of conventional cars. The vehicle costs about three cents per mile
to operate.
"With high gas prices the timing is right for electric cars, but when you are
talking about Earth Day I think it all comes down to the doing the right thing,"
said Mike Jessup. "This truly is a unique vehicle created by Sopraffina and the
guys at Fischer Crane. I look forward to working with them in the future to get
more of these out on the road."
Test drives of the Xebra are available at Jessup's Automotive, located at
1118 East 31st Street, La Grange Park, IL 60526 or by calling
708-352-8800.
About ZAP
ZAP has been a leader in advanced transportation technologies since 1994,
delivering over 100,000 vehicles to consumers in more than 75 countries. At the
forefront of fuel-efficient transportation with new technologies including
energy efficient gas systems, hydrogen, electric, fuel cell, ethanol, hybrid and
other innovative power systems, ZAP has a joint venture called Detroit Electric
to manufacture electric and hybrid vehicles with Youngman Automotive Group, one
of China's leading manufacturers of buses and trucks. Detroit Electric is
developing a freeway capable electric vehicle called the ZAP Alias in
collaboration with Lotus Engineering. ZAP is also developing a new generation of
vehicles using advanced nanotech batteries with Advanced Battery Technologies.
The Company recently announced a strategic partnership with Dubai-based Al
Yousuf Group to expand its international vehicle distribution. ZAP also makes an
innovative, new portable energy technology that manages power for mobile
electronics from cell phones to laptops. For product, dealer and investor
information, visit http://www.zapworld.com/.
