Zap one step closer to building electric car factory in Kentucky
There has been a lot of noise in Kentucky recently as state elected officials work to bring a large electric car factory to the area. A month ago, Democrats and Republicans were fighting over just who could hold the earlier press conference with representatives from Zap. Then, two weeks ago, the governor issued an executive order to allow low-speed three wheelers like Zap's Xebra on the roads. On Friday, officials from the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority gave the green light to offer a $48m tax credit package to Integrity Manufacturing of Bullitt County for an $84m plant that could be used by Zap to build electric vehicles. A final deal is expected this week, says the Courier-Journal, and Zap could employ anywhere between 500 and 2,500 workers in Kentucky (or maybe Indiana, if the Kentucky deal falls through) some time after the plant is up and running in late 2009.
[Source: Courier-Journal]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jeffzekas 3:25PM (8/17/2008)
Does anyone else think this is boondoggle? In April, Wired magazine ran an excellent article about Zap, and its inability to produce most of the electric cars it has proposed. There were interviews with investors who had lost their life savings, by placing their (misplaced) hopes in a company that was, according to the article, just a financial shell game.
Reply
EVan 8:50PM (8/17/2008)
+1
For reference...
http://www.wired.com/cars/futuretransport/magazine/16-04/ff_zapped
Sebastian 5:15PM (8/17/2008)
Jeff,
yes, we've certainly covered the negative aspects of Zap here on AutoblogGreen (see this post that talks about the WIRED article: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/03/25/prospective-zap-dealer-chokes-on-electric-vapor/ ). We're certainly not hopeless romantics on the topic of Zap's EV promises.
Reply
Erik 7:54PM (8/17/2008)
Sebastian,
Until a worthwhile ZAP vehicle actually rolls off the line, every move on their part ought to be regarded as further subterfuge in an attempt to raise their stock price, and every article on ABG relating to ZAP ought to include a disclaimer/cautionary note explaining their past business practices (and a link to that excellent, thoroughly-researched Wired article).
To not do so, to give them such prominent press here on ABG, is journalistically irresponsible. It feeds right into their strategy of getting people excited about their company, so that their stock's price rises, so that their executives can keep cashing out on the stock that they keep paying themselves.
Reply
Bill 9:13PM (8/17/2008)
"Could you wire those state incentives to my offshore bank account?"
"I promise I'll be back here to break ground on the new plant...real soon now."
Reply
meme 11:22AM (8/18/2008)
Meanwhile, Alladin is one step closer to building his new magic carpet textile mill in Lexington.
Reply
jphedin 2:54PM (8/19/2008)
These are the same marleting (not engineering) people who sold the 60+ mpg "smart" cars. They didn't even know enough to convert UK Imperial gallons to US measure, I'm still waiting for my tri-brid Obvio 828. Caveat Emptor and be sure not to get Zapped.
Reply
angel 9:59PM (9/22/2008)
Dear Friends
Hi,I am angel from Optimum battery co.,ltd
Web: www.optimumchina.com, please see attached.
I want to give you our LiFePO4 38.4v 10AH battery price(FOB shenzhen and not contain the BMS and charger and outmost case)
LiFePO4 36v 10AH, $230(the quantity less than 200pcs);$221(the quantity between 200-5,000pcs);$212(the quantity more than 5,000-10,000pcs);$203(the quantity more than 10,000pcs)
Best regards.
Angel xiao
web: www.optimumchina.com
E-mail:optlina@optimum-china.com
MSN:xiaojinyu0722@hotmail.com
SKYPE:angeler722
Directline: (+86)0755-84630801
Fax:(+86)0755-84630785
OPTIMUM BATTERY CO.,LTD
Reply