Electric Car Pioneer ZAP Holds 'The Zero Air Pollution Test Drive to Fight Global Warming' for Earth Day 2007

ZAP to Plant a Tree For Every Electric Car Test Drive in Honor of Earth Day

SANTA ROSA, Calif., April 17 -- Electric car pioneer ZAP, which stands for "Zero Air Pollution," is asking people to celebrate Earth Day with them by inviting everyone to local dealerships to experience "Zero Air Pollution Driving."

ZAP is promoting electric cars as a way to fight global warming, but also has a simpler idea -- planting trees. As part of ZAP's "Zero Air Pollution Test Drive to Fight Global Warming," which will begin on Earth Day, Sunday, April 22 and run through Monday, April 30, for each test drive, ZAP will pledge a tree towards its "Million Tree Challenge."

"At ZAP, we think every day should be Earth Day," said ZAP CEO Steve Schneider. "However, we want to take advantage of this traditional celebration by letting people know there is an environmentally friendly alternative form of transportation available to them right now."

ZAP's XEBRA (pronounced 'zebra) 100% electric car and truck are now available, some of the only consumer electric vehicles in the US that can meet the need for gas-free, city-speed driving. The XEBRA is considered by ZAP as a 'city-car,' an all-electric design for city-speed driving up to 40 mph. They plug into any 110-volt outlet -- the same outlet that is found in and outside every home, garage and office.

Launched in October 2006 with its Chinese manufacturing partners, ZAP's "Million Tree Challenge" has planted over 64,000 trees with the goal of planting a million trees by 2010. ZAP is challenging individuals, corporations, government agencies and other groups to join its challenge, teaming up with tree-planting groups around the world so that for a $25 minimum pledge to http://www.zaptrees.org/, 200 trees will be planted in the name of the benefactor who will receive a certificate for their contribution.

"We all know the important role trees play in the planet's ability to offset carbon dioxide levels," said ZAP Chairman Gary Starr. "By teaming the use of electric vehicles in place of a gasoline powered vehicles and the planting of more trees, we feel we can make a significant impact on the environment for our immediate and future generations."

In addition to a test drive of the XEBRA, experts will be on hand to answer questions about the technology and features of this unique vehicle. The XEBRA comes in a 4-door sedan or pickup truck with a convertible dump/flat bed and ranges in price from $10,000 to $12,000. It plugs into a 110-volt outlet for a full charge in up to six hours and a 50 percent charge in 1.5 hours. Range varies up to 40 miles per charge depending on charge, speed, driving conditions and other factors. Fueling is estimated to cost 1-3 cents per mile while maintenance costs one-third that of gas due to the reduction of moving parts, less wear and replacements.

"Rising energy costs and concerns over the environment are pressuring consumers to look for more alternatives," said Schneider, "An electric car like the XEBRA can cost one-third to fuel versus a gasoline car and is more than 90 percent less polluting than gasoline, including the emissions from power plants."

To find out more information on the ZAP XEBRA or to find where "Zero Air Pollution Test Drives" are taking place in your area go to http://www.zapworld.com/ and click on "Dealer Locater."

For more statistics on electric cars, global warming and tree-planting, visit the Newsroom of http://www.zapworld.com/. To find out more information on the ZAP Trees program go to http://www.zaptrees.org/.

About ZAP

ZAP has been a leader in advanced transportation technologies since 1994, delivering over 90,000 vehicles to consumers in more than 75 countries. A publicly owned company, ZAP is at the forefront of fuel-efficient transportation with new technologies including energy efficient gas systems, hydrogen, electric, fuel cell, alcohol, hybrid and other innovative power systems. ZAP recently announced a new electric crossover SUV called the ZAP-X designed by Lotus Engineering and is also offering Portable Energy technology that manages power for mobile electronic devices like cell phones and laptops. For purchasing, dealer and investor information, call 707-525-8658 or visit http://www.zapworld.com/.