Archive - Nov 2008

President-elect Obama plans to "put 1 million Plug-In Hybrid cars -- cars that can get up to 150 miles per gallon -- on the road by 2015,” according to his website www.barackobama.com. The problem with this plan is that it comes in the middle of economic turmoil and financial collapse of the Big 3 automakers.

Often financial stimulus goes from the government to large corporations, and smaller innovative companies like ZAP are omitted. Over the past few decades, billions of dollars of taxpayer money have gone to the Big 3 to improve fuel-economy and support the use of advanced technologies like electric cars and almost nothing has been delivered while the industry has fought regulation at every turn. At the same time, the smaller companies that deliver receive nothing.

"We love it!" said Richard Ghilotti of Ghilotti Construction in Santa Rosa, California, which operates more than 100 vehicles in its fleet and is the first customer for the ZAP Truck XL. "Now we have an all-electric truck to run mail, parts and odd-jobs which don't require a big diesel or gas truck." Ghilotti has made a comprehensive effort to follow green practices and invest in renewable construction techniques and technologies. Recently Ghilotti opened a new green headquarters in Santa Rosa where the electric trucks will be used.