ZAP Jonway Announcing New JNZ SHUTTLE Van for International Markets Available 1Q2012

Expands EV and Gasoline Product Line Focused on Fleet Markets

SANTA ROSA, Calif., Dec 16, 2011 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) — ZAP Jonway ZAAP -1.89% , a designer and manufacturer of gasoline and new energy electric vehicles (EVs), introduced its JNZ SHUTTLE, a multi-purpose van that can convert from passenger to cargo easily, targeted for the fleet markets and available for the international markets in the first quarter of 2012.

JNZ SHUTTLE Gas or Electric

A photo accompanying this release is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=11263

The JNZ SHUTTLE gives ZAP Jonway an attractive platform to compete in the rapidly growing China auto industry for commercial fleet and delivery vehicles. The JNZ SHUTTLE is designed for both full electric and for gasoline and has more than 129 cubic feet of cargo space or with three rows of seats can fit up to seven passengers.

Army of One Makes Electric Truck Fleet a Reality

April 20, 2010 – The U.S. Army this Earth Day gave out its highest individual environmental award to the person responsible for deploying ZAP trucks on a military base in Korea, Environmental Chief Robert J. Chartier.

Mr. Robert J. Chartier, the former environmental division chief at the Army's Daegu Korea installation, captured the individual award in the environmental quality category of the FY 2009 Secretary of the Army Environmental Awards Program. Chartier competed with teams and individuals from across the Army for this honor and was the only individual Army environmental award winner this year.

According to a press release, “Mr. Robert Chartier captured the individual award in the environmental quality category of the FY2009 Secretary of the Army Environmental Awards Program… Chartier competed with teams and individuals from across the Army for this honor; the only individual Army award bestowed this year.”

Other military bases have followed Chartier’s example with electric truck purchases of their own.  Fleet operators like the greater payload and save hundreds of dollars a week by using the energy efficient trucks for jobs in which a larger gas truck isn’t needed.  Several large EV fleet operators have acquired ZAP electric trucks and vans in the past year.

Designs for an all-electric SUV in partnership with Jonway Auto of China are now available in China for government, corporate and taxi fleets.  ZAP is in talks with distribution partners in places like Korea to further expand distribution in Asia.

Chartier did much more than implement electric vehicle technology, he created a multifaceted plan that included community outreach, environmental awareness events, such as the Earth Day 5K, tree planting, environmental displays at the Armed Forces Day Open house, developing the first International Organization of Standardization 14001 environmental management system for an overseas base, an improved waste and recycling program, and a wetland restoration project at Camp Carroll in Daegu.  Read below and follow the links to learn more about the amazing accomplishments of Robert J. Chartier.  Thank you, Chief!

Press Release from U.S. Army Environmental Command:

U.S. Army Environmental Quality Award Nomination Pictures ZAP Electric Truck

Chartier was recognized for his superb management of all environmental program areas for the Daegu garrison. “It’s always an honor to be recognized, especially at this level; however, many of these achievements would never have been possible had it not been for the outstanding support I received from my entire environmental staff and the Daegu garrison leadership who supported my vision for the direction of the environmental program.

From Award Nomination: “Mr. Chartier conducted research with the garrison Directorate of Logistics and received approval from the command to purchase a small fleet of Zero Air Pollution (ZAP) electric trucks to help the command meet its fleet vehicle managemetn goal.  The ZAP electric truck, a small pickup truck used on USAG Daegu, performs better than the Neighborhood Electric Vehicles issued to installations in the continental U.S.  The installation purchased five trucks, providing them to the Fire Inspector, Department of Public Works, Environemtnal Division and the Safety Office.  These replaced the gasoline-fueled non-tactical vehicles currently in use.”

From recycling to wetland restoration to electric vehicles, Chartier’s vision was felt throughout the garrison, and even outside the gates.

Below is a video of our XL truck, similar to the ones now being used in Korea.

POLL: Do electric cars have a long road to mainstream status?

ZAP CEO Steve Schneider

Respond to our poll about the near-term success of electric cars.  The San Francisco Chronicle published an article on May 25, 2010, in which ZAP CEO Steve Schneider put forth this opinion:

GM added the onboard charging engine to allay “range anxiety,” to use the industry term for buyers’ concerns of running out of battery power during a trip.

Because of such worries, electric vehicles may be most practical for now in situations where drivers follow fixed routes, like delivery trucks and taxis, said Steve Schneider, chief executive of Zap, an electric car company based in Santa Rosa.

“The biggest target market for all automakers is the consumer market, but I don’t think the technology is mature enough for that,” said Schneider, who is still focused on fixed-route niches.

— Read more at SFGate.com