ZAP Unveils Electric Truck Wheel Motor Technology

Electric vehicle pioneer ZAP (OTCBB: ZAAP) has unveiled an 8,000-watt wheel motor powering both rear wheels of a production ZAP electric truck.

This latest wheel motor design is the result of more than five years of research to improve the power and efficiency of its electric vehicles (EVs). Wheel motors are lighter and more compact, eliminating the need for a transmission and drive train. The unique design translates to more available space, which can be dedicated to a larger battery for range extension. This new design could go into production in various electric car and truck configurations by next year with adequate funding.

ZAP has delivered more than two thousand wheel motor EVs, beginning with the ZAPPY3 scooter in 2004, followed by the Zapino motor scooter in 2007.

The new motor is a breakthrough in efficiency that resulted from a collaboration between ZAP’s engineers and other industry experts. The 8,000-watt motor design is almost ten inches in diameter compared to the seven-inch diameter, 3,000-watt motor powering the Zapino scooter.

“This is a genuinely remarkable advance in the world of electric vehicles,” said ZAP CEO Steve Schneider. “Based on the core technology we use for the production of the Zapino model, we have been able to achieve a far higher horsepower output with just a slight increase in weight and size. Given the growing necessity of reducing our carbon emissions and the rising demand for more environmentally sound vehicles, we are extremely excited about the potential applications of this motor for a range of EVs both here and abroad.”

Mr. Schneider indicated this news could help in a collaborative electric vehicle manufacturing project with ZAP Motor Manufacturing Kentucky (ZMMK), based in Franklin, Kentucky. ZAP’s wheel motor developments were an integral part of ZMMK’s presentation to the Department of Energy for a $160 million loan application earlier this year. Pending acceptance by the DOE, ZMMK President Gary Dodd intends to use ZAP’s wheel motor technology exclusively in the development of its electric truck manufacturing under a manufacturing and distribution agreement with ZAP.

“We have seen many wheel motors still in the prototype stages, but ZAP is the only company that has proven the technology to be cost-effective compared to conventional electric motors,” said Mr. Dodd. “We believe the 8,000-watt motor design to be a significant step forward toward making EVs an affordable, everyday reality.”

About ZAP

ZAP has been a leader in electric transportation since 1994, delivering over one hundred thousand vehicles to consumers in more than seventy-five countries. ZAP manufactures a line of electric vehicles, including electric city-cars and trucks, motorcycles, scooters, bicycles, and ATVs. ZAP sells some of the only electric city-speed cars, trucks and vans in production today and is developing a freeway capable electric vehicle called the ZAP Alias. For product, dealer, and investor information, visit http://www.zapworld.com.