OAKLAND, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 04/09/07 -- Steve Schneider, CEO for Bay Area electric car pioneer ZAP (OTCBB: ZAAP), attended the inaugural meeting for the Oil Independent Oakland by 2020 Task Force last week with Professor CC Chan Ph.D., one of the World's leading authorities on electric vehicles.

The Oil Independent Oakland by 2020 Task Force held its inaugural meeting at Oakland City Hall and invited Professor Chan to address the meeting with his experience in similar projects in China and other parts of the world. The City Council's goal for the task is "to develop an action plan to make Oakland oil independent by 2020, including new strategies to create jobs and economic growth in Oakland." Similar plans have been launched in places like Sweden and the City of Portland, Oregon, but Oakland hopes to create the most progressive plan in the world.

One of the primary goals of the Oil Independent Oakland by 2020 Task Force is to create economic development through the creation of "green collar jobs." Along with Professor Chan, ZAP CEO Steve Schneider discussed an idea of using the Port of Oakland for the manufacturing of electric vehicles, creating jobs while saving energy by manufacturing automobiles where they are needed. Schneider said that he has meetings this week with task force member Mike Petouhoff to pursue opportunities for economic development with the Port of Oakland that could serve as an example for cities around the world.

Dr. Chan is an Honorary Professor in the Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering at the University of Hong Kong and director of the International Research Center for Electric Vehicles. His career spans more than 40 years with industrial and academic experience mainly in the research and development of electric machines and energy systems. Chan, who is the president and founder of the World Electric Vehicle Association, believes Oakland's goal is possible and believes changes in transportation will be important.

"We know that the technology to do this already exists," said Professor Chan. "What is needed are politicians that can pull together an infrastructure of public education and social awareness, an idea I like to call STEEP (Society, Technology, Economy, Environment and Politics). One thing that will help is to put an electric car in every garage."

Chan provided an overview to the Oil Independent Oakland by 2020 Task Force in a summary of six specific ways to achieve this goal. First, every second car in multi-car families should be a 100% battery powered electric car. Second, every first car in multi-car families should be a plug-in hybrid. Third, residential and commercial buildings should integrate renewable energy technologies, like solar, wind and underground heat pumps. Fourth, optimizing energy storage, usage and co-generation between homes, cars and work can achieve greater levels of success. Fifth, incentives need to be implemented, like free parking for electric vehicles or rebates to incorporate photovoltaic power to homes and businesses. Finally, the creation of green industry including manufacturing of electric vehicles and their components, flexible and universal energy packages including batteries and recycling of batteries will help expand the infrastructure.

About ZAP

ZAP has been a leader in advanced transportation technologies since 1994, delivering over 90,000 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, like cell phones and laptops. For more 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.

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