The ZAP-X Crossover Electric Car - 155mph, 644 Horsepower, Based on the APX Technical Demonstrator Vehicle Designed & Developed by Lotus Engineering

The ZAP-X Crossover Electric Car - 155mph, 644 Horsepower, Based on the APX Technical Demonstrator Vehicle Designed & Developed by Lotus Engineering

January 30, 2007

ZAP-X features all wheel drive, 10 minute recharge time, a
350 Mile Range and will be the center piece of the NADA
Exhibition, February 3rd to 6th.


    LAS VEGAS, Jan. 30 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Automotive
pioneer ZAP (OTC Bulletin Board: ZAAP) today announced
plans to display Lotus Engineering's advanced APX concept
car at the North American Dealers Association (NADA) annual
meeting and exhibition, February 3 to 6, 2007, confirming
their choice to move ahead using Lotus' revolutionary
platform and body structure design as the basis for the
development of the high performance electric ZAP-X.

    (Logo: 
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070130/SFTU060 )

    ZAP and Lotus Engineering will begin the first phase of
an engineering project to use the British consultancy's APX
("Aluminum Performance Crossover") as a basis for
designing a production-ready electric all-wheel drive
crossover high performance vehicle for ZAP in the USA
market.

    A combination of the lightweight aluminum vehicle
architecture, a new efficient drive and advanced battery
management systems is intended to enable a range of up to
350 miles between charges, with a rapid 10-minute
recharging time.  An auxiliary power unit is planned to
support longer distance journeys.

    Lotus' APX's conventional gasoline V6 engine will be
replaced by revolutionary in-hub electric motors,
delivering 644 horsepower in all wheel drive mode,
theoretically capable of powering the ZAP-X to a potential
top speed of 155mph. A new strong, lightweight and highly
efficient structure based on the Lotus technology is
planned to give the car a very attractive power-to-weight
ratio.

    Steve Schneider, CEO of ZAP, said: "Lotus
Engineering's APX technology demonstrator vehicle is a
perfect fit for our plans to introduce a full product
portfolio of electric cars. Due to the initial design by
Lotus, our cost and time to production will be
significantly reduced. We believe that the ZAP-X will
become the most advanced, most practical and most appealing
flagship electric vehicle to date and will revolutionize the
industry providing the driver with the enjoyment of a sports
car and the practicality of an SUV."

    Mike Kimberley, CEO of Group Lotus plc, said:
"Lotus Engineering's APX is a world-class innovative
concept and was developed to showcase real solutions to new
challenges facing the automotive industry. So it's very
satisfying that ZAP's proposed new model will make use of a
great deal of the APX concept's advanced body structure and
chassis technology. The bringing together of these
next-generation vehicle technologies represents another
significant step forward for automotive technology."

    The APX showcases Lotus Engineering's Versatile Vehicle
Architecture technology, combining lightweight aluminum
vehicle architecture with exceptionally strong and stiff
structural rigidity, as well as lower manufacturing
investment requirements.  Having first been shown to the
world at the Geneva motor show in 2006, the APX concept has
won the 2006 European Aluminium Awards in the
"Transport and Automotive" category.

    The innovative placement of the power train leaves the
space previously occupied by the conventional engine and
drive train for additional battery capacity and amenities,
making it a very consumer-oriented electric car concept. 
These design features will give the ZAP-X crossover the
structural strength, and potentially storage and range that
no electric vehicle has yet achieved publicly.

    The development programme is proposed to be managed
from a new centre of excellence for research and
development of environmentally-friendly vehicle designs and
technologies. Engineering input will come from Lotus
Engineering Inc, and the British technology consultancy's
other R&D centers in the UK, Malaysia and China. 

    About Lotus Engineering

    Lotus Engineering has been behind the design and
construction of some of the most successful cars in history
and is one of the world's premier automotive consultancies
with engineering centers in Asia, North America and Europe.


    Employed by many of the major car manufacturers, Lotus
Engineering maintains a strong tradition of excellence in
the automotive business with cutting-edge engineering
expertise, and talented, visionary staff. Lotus Engineering
offers full engineering services capable of taking a project
from initial concept and product design, through
development, testing and prototype build, as well as
production and production support. 

    Lotus is one of only two OEMs that has experience in
designing, developing, manufacturing and marketing its own
products offering this range of expert services to third
parties. This gives Lotus a highly respected premium
position in today's automotive industry. For more
information, visit http://www.grouplotus.com .

    About ZAP

    ZAP currently markets the only city-speed electric car
and truck available in the United States through a new
automotive distribution portal marketing a complete lineup
of advanced technology vehicles. ZAP's authorized auto
dealer network will offer sales, service and parts
distribution for the lineup of vehicles being developed by
ZAP and its strategic partners in Europe, Asia and South
America.

    ZAP has been a leader in advanced transportation
technologies since 1994, delivering nearly 100,000 vehicles
to consumers in more than 75 countries. ZAP is at the
forefront of fuel-efficient transportation with new
technologies including energy efficient gas systems,
hydrogen, electric, fuel cell, alcohol, hybrid and other
innovative power systems. For more information, visit
http://www.zapworld.com .

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Statements in this press release that relate to future
plans or projected results of ZAP are "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended by the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the
"PSLRA"), and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended by the PSLRA, and all such
statements fall under the "safe harbor" provisions
of the PSLRA. ZAP's actual results may vary materially from
those described in any "forward-looking
statement" due to, among other possible reasons, the
continued acceptance of ZAP's products, increased levels of
competition, new products and technological changes, ZAP's
dependence on third-party suppliers, intellectual property
rights, and the realization of any of the other risks
described in ZAP's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB, or in any
of ZAP's other filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Readers of this press release are cautioned not
to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements.


    For more information, please contact:

     Eveline Souza
     Media Relations
     Tel:   [phone], ext. 216
     Email: [e-mail]

     Sherri Haskell
     Investor Relations. 
     Tel:   [phone], ext. 232
     Email: [e-mail]

     Mike Stainton or Patrick Peal
     Band & Brown Communications
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail] / [e-mail]

     Alastair Florance
     Group Lotus PR Manager
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]


SOURCE  ZAP