ZENN To Stop LSV Production; ZAP Phasing Out Xebra?

ZENN announced that it will be stopping production of their LSV in April 2010. As had been reported earlier the company is shifting it’s focus to the development of electric drivetrains based on EEStor technology. The company reports selling about 500 of their LSVs in three years.

Learn more: Reuters.com

In another story about phasing out a vehicle, a careful examination of ZAP’s most recent quarterly findings, seem to indicate that they will be phasing out their three-wheeled Xebra model. From their 10-Q for the quarter ending September 30, 2009:

The decrease of $1.5 million (in revenue) is primarily due to the phase out of our three wheeled Xebra vehicle with reduced selling prices.

In addition the company appears to be putting less emphasis on development of the Alias model.

Research and development expenses decreased by $57,000 from $138,000 in 2008 to $81,000 for the third quarter ended September 30, 2009. The decrease was due to less work on the development of the Alias prototype vehicle

Learn more: thetruthaboutcars.com

ZENN Certifies EEStor Technology Milestone

ZENN recently reported that a third party had certified an important technology milestone reached by EEStor.  Independent tests showed that…

…the main material in the ultracapacitor technology achieved relative permittivity of at least 22,500 over an operating range of -20 to +65 degrees Celsius. Permittivity is a measurement of how much energy can be stored in a material.

Per the agreement with EEStor, reaching the milestone triggers an additional $700,000 payment by ZENN and an opportunity to increase their equity stake.  The next milestone is to commercialization of the technology, which according to the agreement, is supposed to start by the end of 2009.  ZENN still plans to incorporate the ultracapacitor technology in vehicles in 2010.  Learn more:  cleantech.com

Rebate & Tax Credit Pushes ZENN Price Below 10K

As part of their Ambassador Program, ZENN is offering rebates of $4,750 off the sticker price of $15,995.  Coupled with the $1,250 federal tax credit available in the U.S. the vehicle cost drops to $9,995.  The ZENN rebate is available at the point of sale through June 30th of this year at the more than 40 dealers in the U.S.  Purchasers will also receive a ZENN hat and t-shirt as the company tries to spread the word about their vehicle.  Learn more:  autobloggreen

In other ZENN news:  Based on company press releases, ZENN sold 211 vehicles in 2008 compared to 184 in 2007 despite a sharp drop in sales in the last quarter of 2008 because of problems with a supplier of a drive train component and the economic downturn.

The company also commented on plans to develop a new four passenger LSV platform, the cityZENN, a highway-capable full electric vehicle, and ZENNergy drivetrains in anticipation of the commercialization of EEstor’s energy storage technology.  Management reports that they are close to signing an agreement with an OEM as a partner in the development of these initiatives.  Learn more:  ZENNcars.com

EEStor Patent Sheds Some Light

A recently granted patent provides some more information about the company’s much anticipated technology.  According to one analysis of the patent

An EESU (Electrical Energy Storage Unit) weighs 281 pounds, has a volume of 2.63 cubic feet, can be fully charged in 3-6 minutes, is completely unaffected by temperature, will not explode or catch fire in an accident, and provides 52 kWh of electricity.