Electric car pioneer ZAP (BULLETIN BOARD: ZAAP) confirmed that its XEBRA city-truck traveled over 100 miles on a single charge at a Danish laboratory using an advanced lithium battery system.

ZAP has two XEBRAs in Denmark undergoing refinement with new lithium batteries and an advanced battery management system developed by Danish technology firm Lithium Balance. In January, ZAP signed an exclusive distribution agreement for the sophisticated battery management system. This new system helps maximize the efficiency and performance of lithium batteries, delivering as much as five times the range over the lead-acid batteries currently used in a wide variety of electric vehicles.

"The XEBRA seems like the perfect vehicle to test our advanced battery management system and the results are extremely encouraging," said Ivan Loncarevic of Lithium Balance. "We believe that, combined with our battery management system, ZAP will be able to offer a commercial version of a XEBRA that has a range in excess of 100 miles per charge in the very near future."

Loncarevic accompanied ZAP CEO Steve Schneider on a recent cross-country trip through China to visit ZAP's various manufacturing partners, including lithium battery developer and manufacturer Advanced Battery Technologies, Inc. (BULLETIN BOARD: ABAT) . Earlier this week, ZAP agreed to purchase $5.168 million of polymer and nano batteries from Advanced Battery Technologies for use in the XEBRA as well as other ZAP vehicles and battery systems.

Loncarevic added: "After working with ZAP for several months now, I believe this to be one of the few ventures today that has a serious near-term business plan to mass produce electric vehicles. The XEBRA is the perfect entry and test-bed for this new battery technology and will pave the way for the development of ZAP's highway capable electric vehicles."

ZAP recently announced that it had delivered over 500 of its XEBRA sedans and trucks, which are available through its network of authorized dealers and service centers.

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 is developing a high-performance crossover SUV electric car concept called ZAP-X engineered by Lotus Engineering. The Company recently launched a 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.


Source: ZAP