ZAP Unveils Electric Truck Wheel Motor Technology

SANTA ROSA, CA, May 19 (MARKET WIRE) --
Electric vehicle pioneer ZAP (OTCBB: ZAAP) has unveiled an 8,000-watt
wheel motor powering both rear wheels of a production ZAP electric truck.

This latest wheel motor design is the result of more than five years of
research to improve the power and efficiency of its electric vehicles
(EVs). Wheel motors are lighter and more compact, eliminating the need for
a transmission and drive train. The unique design translates to more
available space, which can be dedicated to a larger battery for range
extension. This new design could go into production in various electric
car and truck configurations by next year with adequate funding.

ZAP has delivered more than two thousand wheel motor EVs, beginning with
the ZAPPY3 scooter in 2004, followed by the Zapino motor scooter in 2007.

The new motor is a breakthrough in efficiency that resulted from a
collaboration between ZAP's engineers and other industry experts. The
8,000-watt motor design is almost ten inches in diameter compared to the
seven-inch diameter, 3,000-watt motor powering the Zapino scooter.

"This is a genuinely remarkable advance in the world of electric
vehicles," said ZAP CEO Steve Schneider. "Based on the core technology we
use for the production of the Zapino model, we have been able to achieve
a far higher horsepower output with just a slight increase in weight and
size. Given the growing necessity of reducing our carbon emissions and
the rising demand for more environmentally sound vehicles, we are
extremely excited about the potential applications of this motor for a
range of EVs both here and abroad."

Mr. Schneider indicated this news could help in a collaborative electric
vehicle manufacturing project with ZAP Motor Manufacturing Kentucky
(ZMMK), based in Franklin, Kentucky. ZAP's wheel motor developments were
an integral part of ZMMK's presentation to the Department of Energy for a
$160 million loan application earlier this year. Pending acceptance by
the DOE, ZMMK President Gary Dodd intends to use ZAP's wheel motor
technology exclusively in the development of its electric truck
manufacturing under a manufacturing and distribution agreement with ZAP.

"We have seen many wheel motors still in the prototype stages, but ZAP is
the only company that has proven the technology to be cost-effective
compared to conventional electric motors," said Mr. Dodd. "We believe the
8,000-watt motor design to be a significant step forward toward making EVs
an affordable, everyday reality."

About ZAP

ZAP has been a leader in electric transportation since 1994, delivering
over one hundred thousand vehicles to consumers in more than seventy-five
countries. ZAP manufactures a line of electric vehicles, including
electric city-cars and trucks, motorcycles, scooters, bicycles, and ATVs.
ZAP sells some of the only electric city-speed cars, trucks and vans in
production today and is developing a freeway capable electric vehicle
called the ZAP Alias. For product, dealer, and investor information, visit
http://www.zapworld.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements. 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.

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Contact:
Alex Campbell
ZAP Media Relations
707-525-8658 ext. 241
acampbell@zapworld.com

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