The story
ZAP Power Systems (for Zero Air Pollution), was launched by Jim McGreen in 1992 with the goal of designing, building and selling innovative electric vehicles. The company was incorporated on September 23, 1994, as ZAP Power Systems of Sebastopol, California, by Jim McGreen and Gary Starr, where they started manufacturing electric-powered kits and bikes and then later the zappy scooter. Gary Starr was chosen as a business partner by Jim McGreen due to his previous experience with producing electric powertrains at companies such as Solar Electric Engineering which was later renamed U.S. Electricar, which converted hundreds of vehicles including trucks for Ford and General Motors to run on electric power and was later renamed Enova Systems.
In 1995, ZAP began the manufacturing of electric bicycle systems, including products such as the ZAP DX and SX, as well as the ElectriCruiser, PowerBike, S&W Patrol Bike, ZAPTRIKE.
In 1996, Zap began to offer direct public offering stock, and debuted an advanced Tricyclopod, the Zappy folding electric scooter (invented by co-founder McGreen).
In February 1997, an arrangement was made with Chinese bicycle companies for ZAP's drive system supply. In April 1997, ZAP agreed to sell electric bikes to Brunswick Corp. By May 1997, ZAP signed a distribution agreement with Fondmetal Export AG.
In March 1998, Zap's first electric bike store was opened in San Francisco.
In 1999, ZAP Power Systems announced a corporate name change to ZAPWORLD.COM and the company made multiple business agreements with companies such as Smith & Wesson, Veiculos Electricos, CSW Total EV, and Electric Motorbike and announced the launch of the "Z-Boat".
In late 1999, Gary Starr ousted Jim McGreen as president and CEO of ZAP, and put himself in charge of the company.
In May 2000, ZAP introduced a line of sea scooters with battery-powered propulsion, and the KICK-PUSH Scooter. Also, the company appointed John Dabels as President of ZAP following the acquisition of EMB in 1999. Dabels was the former marketing director of the GM EV1 program.
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In January 2001, Dabels resigned as President of ZAP due to an unwillingness to relocate manufacturing to Asia.
In 2001, ZAP introduced a solar powered scooter and changed the corporate name of the company to simply "ZAP". ZAP also unveiled the ZAPADAPT, an electric-assist for manual wheelchairs at the 2001 Abilities Expo.
In June 2000, ZAP acquired Aquatic Propulsion Technology Inc, and announced a joint venture with Ningbo Topp Industrial Co. Ltd.
In March 2001, ZAP entered into a strategic alliance with Sun Pirate. In May 2001, ZAP formed a joint venture with Voltage Vehicles to develop, design, manufacture and distribute a full line of electric vehicles.
Around 2002, ZAP filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and reorganized with Gary Starr as the chairman of ZAP. Starr hired Steve Schneider to be the new CEO of ZAP.
In February 2010, ZAP was awarded an engineering contract for the design and development of an electric version of the Grumman LLV, the mail truck used by USPS since 1987.
By 2017, the ZAPworld.com website seemingly went out of use. The current fate of the company is somewhat unclear.
Expansion into China
In February 2008, ZAP created a joint venture with Chinese company Youngman Automotive Group, to revive the nascent Detroit Electric brand.
In December 2009, a joint venture company in Hangzhou, China was formed by ZAP, Holley Group, and Better World International, named ZAP Hangzhou.
In July 2010, ZAP confirmed an agreement to acquire a stake in Zhejiang Jonway Automobile. Approval to do so was confirmed by the Chinese Department of Commerce in Zhejiang Province in September 2010.
In June 2014, ZAP announced a major deal with battery maker Tianjin Battery Company Ltd, also known as Lishen to convert 1,000 fleet vehicles to use electric power only.
From Wikipedia’s article on ZAP (motor company), shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.4