CNN picks ZAP among top 'Green' gifts

CNN picks ZAP among top 'Green' gifts

SANTA ROSA, California (December 23, 2004) - CNN last week reported that 'Green' gifts were a holiday favorite for 2004 and named transportation pioneer ZAP (OTC BB:ZAAP) in an online buyer's guide alongside such well-known companies as Honda, Toyota, Ford and Lexus.

CNN's December 17 article talks about the popular 2005 model hybrid automobiles, but adds: "There are smaller pollution-free choices for quick in-town trips. The Zappy Smart Cars and Electric Scooters provide a quiet, comfortable, clean-commute option."

Officials from ZAP say that its website has been receiving a record number of visits in the past several weeks based on interest in the SMART Car Americanized by ZAP, record gas prices, as well as a general increase in demand for fuel-efficient transportation. ZAP has a variety of fuel-efficient vehicles, from electric bicycles, scooters, off-road vehicles, to full-performance automobiles powered by gasoline and electricity.

In November, ZAP announced that the fuel-efficient SMART Car has been approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation and Environmental Protection Agency, clearing the way for ZAP to start organizing U.S. distribution. ZAP unveiled the microcar at the San Francisco International Auto Show over Thanksgiving and plans to start delivering the cars in 2005.

There might not be enough time to order ZAP gifts online or via mail order, but ZAP says its company-owned "Santa's ZAP! Workshop" in downtown Santa Rosa still has ZAP bikes, scooters and cars in stock. ZAP is featuring two new electric scooters for the holidays, the ZAPPY3? 3-wheeled electric scooter as well as the ZAPPY, Xpress, an improved version of its older scooters that includes a seat.

A ten year old public company, ZAP made a name for itself in the 90's as one of the first companies to start selling electric scooters, including its famous ZAPPY, folding electric scooter. ZAP has leveraged the popularity of electric transportation to expand its business plan to include automobiles with the goal of starting a new car company that caters to socially responsible car-buyers.

ZAP is not affiliated with, or authorized by, smart gmbh, the manufacturer of SMART automobiles, or the smartUSA division of Mercedes-Benz LLC, the exclusive authorized U.S. importer and distributor of those vehicles. ZAP purchases its vehicles from non-affiliated direct importer Smart-Auto LLC.