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.

ZAP Introduces Electric Taxi at the Beijing Motor Show

Production Set for China

BEIJING (April 21, 2010) – ZAP (OTC BB: ZAAP), the U.S. electric vehicle pioneer, today introduced its design and engineering expertise to the Chinese media and outlined production plans to bring all-electric vehicles to the Chinese market. The company is displaying its all-electric ZAP Taxi targeting the fleet market as well as its innovative all-electric Alias prototype sports car at the Beijing Motor Show.

MULTIMEDIA: – Video Preview — Slide Show 

“ZAP is gearing up to meet the need in the China marketplace for high-quality, environmentally friendly vehicles,” said Steve Schneider, ZAP CEO. ”Importantly, as these vehicles are 100% electric, they emit zero pollutants and are very economical to operate when compared to a traditional gasoline powered vehicle.”

Pilot production of the ZAP Taxi is already underway at ZAP Hangzhou, the joint venture in Hangzhou with Holley Group, a global producer of electric power meters. The vehicles will be initially aimed at the Asian market, such as taxi fleets, as well as intra-campus transportation for large corporate, government, military and university campuses. Because of their frequently idling engines, taxis may cause more pollution than other cars. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, an idling engine is 20 times more polluting than one running at 32 mph. “The vehicle integrates the latest AC electric drivetrain and lithium battery system technologies in a freeway-capable EV designed for specific fleet uses,” said Schneider.

The ZAP Hangzhou joint venture and the ZAP partnership with Zhejiang Jonway Automobile Co., Ltd. are part of a multi-phase business plan ZAP is implementing to target the China electric vehicle market. ZAP chose the Jonway partnership in part because Jonway produced one of the first vehicles made in China to meet international standards of quality, including ISO 9000, China Compulsory Certification (CCC) and most recently passing certification for import to the European Union. The Taizhou-based automaker markets and sells vehicles in China through a network of more than 600 auto dealerships across China. Jonway has the capacity to produce up to 50,000 vehicles per year currently at its facilities in Taizhou with capacity and support from the government to expand as the business grows.

The ZAP Alias is competing in the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE starting next week.

ZAP’s design of the electric version of Jonway’s A-380 5-door SUV is capable of speeds of 70 mph, with a range of up to 300 km per charge depending on customer specification. “ZAP has more than 15 years of experience in electric vehicle systems integration and sees a growing market for electric fleet vehicles,” according to Schneider.

“Not only will the ZAP Taxi carry 5 passengers, it has considerable luggage space and can be operated for less than .12 RMB per kilometer ($0.03 cents per mile) based on current electricity costs in China. This will provide any fleet user with a competitive edge in typical urban usage.” Schneider said.

About ZAP Hangzhou

ZAP Hangzhou is a joint venture between U.S. electric vehicle pioneer ZAP and the Holley Group, the largest producer of electric power meters in the world. With venture capital backing from Better World international through Cathaya Funds, the goal of the joint venture is to design, manufacture and distribute electric vehicles and infrastructure technology targeting the electric vehicle market in China.

About ZAP

ZAP is one of the world’s oldest electric vehicle providers, having delivered more than 117,000 of a broad range of vehicles to more than 75 countries since 1994. ZAP supplies electric trucks and vans to military, government and corporate fleets and is an innovator of electric motor cycles, scooters and ATVs. The Santa Rosa, California based company offers some of the only electric city-speed cars and trucks in production today and is leveraging its accrued technology know-how in developing a cost effective high-speed electric car called the ZAP Alias. Further news and information is available at http://zapglobal.wordpress.com.

Video of typical use of the ZAP Taxi is available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLbEW5CfpkM

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Contacts:

China
Zhong Shi
+86 135-0114-6247
zhong-shi@VIP.sohu.com

USA

ZAP (English Only)
Alex Campbell
707-525-8658 x 241
mobile 707-217-3089
acampbell@zapworld.com