Electric Cars Alive and Well at ZAP

SANTA ROSA, Calif., Aug. 12, 2003 -- Some call it the most advanced automobile to ever come off an assembly line. However, today Oakland resident Mitch Ferris is driving his GM EV1 electric car for the last time, dropping it off at the local Saturn dealership under GM's electric car recall. He's sad, but hopes to keep driving electric cars with the help of electric vehicle pioneer ZAP (BULLETIN BOARD: ZAPZ) .

He recently drove the EV1 from Oakland to Santa Rosa, about 60 miles, to meet with ZAP CEO Steve Schneider about ordering a replacement. Established in 1994 as a manufacturer of electric bicycles and scooters, ZAP announced this year that it is entering the electric car market. The company expects to begin delivering neighborhood electric cars this fall and is negotiating a business plan to introduce freeway electric cars. Ferris placed an order with ZAP for one of its freeway-capable electric cars when it becomes available. To learn more about ZAP's electric cars, visit http://www.zapworld.com/zapcars.htm .

Last fall, GM had ordered lessees of the roughly 1,100 EV1s to return their electric vehicles. GM said it decided to reclaim the EV1s after marketing efforts had failed, but many of its customers disagree, staging various protests to the recall. In July, fifteen EV1 lessees conducted a mock funeral at a Hollywood cemetery to lament the car's demise.

"The EV1 is not a marketing failure," said Ferris. "From driving one for three years, I believe it is one of the most advanced, exciting automobiles to ever come off the assembly line. Contrary to what the automakers are telling us, I know now that electric transportation is a reality. For the past three years I have not needed gas, tune-ups, smog tests, muffler repairs, spark plug replacement, air filters, oil filters -- the list goes on. With electrics, the only regular maintenance that I've had to do, other than plugging in, is keep air in the tires."

"I believe that electric cars have to be introduced by a new kind of company and I'm glad there are companies like ZAP who believe in the technology and are committed to bringing it to market. I like ZAP and with this order I feel like I'm helping them accomplish this," said Ferris.

About ZAP

ZAP, which stands for Zero Air Pollution(R), has delivered more than 80,000 electric vehicles to customers in more than 60 countries. ZAP is traded on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board under the symbol ZAPZ. The company is recruiting auto dealers and other types of retailers around the world to join its distribution network. For more information on becoming a ZAP dealer, visit www.zapworld.com or contact ZAP Dealer Development at 707-525-8658.

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.