ROSA, CA--(Marketwire - March 10, 2008) - Electric car pioneer ZAP (
OTCBB: ZAAP) is now
offering plug-in hybrid conversion systems for the Toyota Prius and Ford Escape
Hybrid through a collaboration agreement with Hybrids Plus.
Hybrid vehicles retrofitted with systems from Hybrids Plus of Boulder,
Colorado can achieve a significantly greater fuel economy. In tests these
systems increased hybrid fuel economy up to 120 miles per gallon in the city and
up to 90 mpg on the highway. The cost for the conversion ranges from $24,000 to
$36,000 depending on the vehicle and size of battery pack.
All gasoline electric hybrids currently produced by major automakers today
are essentially gasoline-powered vehicles. They reduce emissions and improve
fuel efficiency compared to conventional cars, however they are fueled
exclusively by gasoline. The plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) will allow
the owner to charge their vehicle from a normal household wall outlet. By
integrating a larger battery pack and a plug-in charging system, it becomes a
new vehicle drawing energy from two fuel sources.
Hybrids Plus has sold PHEV systems to private individuals, fleets, power
companies, and governmental entities. Deliveries can be provided in
approximately four weeks from the initial order.
"This is a natural extension of our growth plans," said Hybrids Plus CEO Carl
Lawrence. "ZAP has sold more city speed electric vehicles than any other company
and has an established, growing dealer network that can provide sales and
service for our vehicles."
"This collaboration allows more hybrid owners to have the most efficient
vehicles on the road today," said ZAP CEO Steve Schneider. "ZAP dealers are
preparing to offer a new level of service in the coming years involving
mass-market hybrid and electric cars from Detroit Electric, so experience with
plug-in hybrids can accelerate this process."
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.
About Hybrids Plus
Hybrids Plus, Inc., a privately held corporation in Boulder, CO, converts
hybrid-electric vehicles into plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles (PHEV). The
company is also a leader in vehicle to grid (V2G) technology, which allows
battery energy stored in a PHEV to be fed into the electrical grid or a
stand-alone house. It is deploying the first V2G fleet in the world in
collaboration with a major electric power utility. Hybrids Plus is presently the
second largest PHEV conversion company in North America, and it has the PHEV
conversion technology that is the most seamlessly integrated into the original
vehicle. It currently converts the Toyota Prius and the Ford Escape Hybrid, and
may soon be offering a Toyota Highlander Hybrid conversion. For more
information, visit http://hybrids-plus.com/.
