Danish engineers ready li-ion Zap Xebra with 152-mile range

The Zap Xebra is the little electric vehicle that can. It's not the most powerful or safety-tested vehicle on the road, but it does offer zero-emission transportation and carrying capacity and is available today. For electric car scientists at Lithium Balance in Copenhagen, the current-model Xebras with lead acid batteries were lacking and so they teamed up with Zap to develop lithium-ion battery Xebras that can go 152 miles per charge. This upgrade to the Xebra's capabilities - the current range for a Xebra is 25 miles - will be offered to customers "in the near future." While the benefits of lithium-ion batteries such as the increased range and a lighter battery are touted in the press release (read it after the break), the price is not mentioned. Any guesses as to what li-ion will do to the Xebra sedan's $10,500 price tag?
[Source: Zap, h/t to Domenick]


Danish Electric Car Scientists Extend Range of ZAP Xebra to 152 Miles With New Battery Management Technology

Lithium Balance Develops Battery Management Technology for ZAP

Electric car scientists extended the range of an electric car by five times to 152 miles using lithium-ion batteries and a proprietary battery management system. California's ZAP and Denmark's Lithium Balance plan to offer an upgrade for the ZAP Xebra pickup in the near future.

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK--(Marketwire - December 10, 2007) - Electric car scientists at Lithium Balance in Copenhagen and ZAP (OTCBB: ZAAP) of California announced results of their latest tests of a new battery management system for lithium batteries, reporting that the Xebra pickup traveled 152 miles on a single charge.

Since January, ZAP and Lithium Balance, formerly Eco Tech A/S, have been collaborating on the development of the new battery management system. ZAP has acquired the exclusive distribution for the technology for integration into its electric vehicle development.

Two Xebra electric vehicles are being used for testing the Lithium Balance battery management system at facilities in Copenhagen. In July, a similar test resulted in a distance traveled of 100 miles per charge.

Lithium Balance's new system helps maximize the efficiency and performance of lithium batteries. The overall system is smaller and lighter, increasing the energy density by eight to ten times compared to the lead acid batteries that are common in today's electric cars. Lithium Balance claims the new system also improves the safety and reliability of large-scale lithium battery packs for automotive applications.

ZAP is currently marketing the Xebra electric sedan and pickup through a global distribution network of auto distributors, dealers and service centers. The Xebra is a unique 'city-car' designed to provide an energy efficient alternative for commuters, multi-car families, businesses and government fleets.

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 to manufacture electric and hybrid vehicles with Youngman Automotive Group, one of China's leading manufacturers of buses and trucks. ZAP is developing a high-performance crossover SUV electric car concept called ZAP-X engineered by 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.

Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, continued acceptance of the Company's products, increased levels of competition for the Company, new products and technological changes, the Company's dependence upon third-party suppliers, intellectual property rights, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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