Concept to show styling direction of new, more affordable, hybrid vehicle

TORRANCE, Calif., Sept. 4 /PRNewswire/ — Honda will reveal a concept version of its new small hybrid vehicle, to be named Insight, at the 2008 Paris International Auto Show, October 2, the company announced today. The new Insight Concept shares styling cues with the Honda FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle and will provide an early look at the highly-anticipated five-passenger hybrid vehicle.

Going on sale in the U.S. next spring, the all-new purpose-built Insight will come to market at a price significantly below hybrids available today. From this unique position in the marketplace, the Insight
will advance the affordability and accessibility of hybrid technology to a new generation of buyers. (more…)

Shares ‘Oscar of Innovation’ Honor with Argonne Nat’l Lab

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., July 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Ener1, Inc. (Amex: HEV), maker of advanced battery technology to power the next generation of hybrid and electric vehicles, announced today that it has received the prestigious R&D 100 award for excellence in its technology and innovative design. The award is shared by Ener1 and its research partner, the U.S. Department of Energy and University of Chicago’s Argonne National Laboratory.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080312/CLW018LOGO )

Ener1 develops and manufactures compact, high performance lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries for advanced automotive applications based on technology originally pioneered by Argonne researchers. Demand for cost effective battery solutions is being driven by a need to reduce dependence on foreign oil imports and the growing concern about vehicle emissions. (more…)

As gas prices hit record levels again across the nation this week, restaurant chain El Pollo Loco is driving its marketing efforts in a new way — literally — through the rollout of two electric delivery vehicles from ZAP (www.zapworld.com).

BEVERLY HILLS, CA–(Marketwire - July 8, 2008) - As gas prices hit record levels again across the nation this week, restaurant chain El Pollo Loco is driving its marketing efforts in a new way — literally — through the rollout of two electric delivery vehicles from ZAP (OTCBB: ZAAP).

El Pollo Loco, the nation’s leader in flame-grilled chicken, now employs a pair of three-wheel, sub compact electric cars covered in bumper-to-bumper brand messaging and emblazoned with scorching red flames against a purple background. With over 400 fast casual restaurants, El Pollo Loco was searching for a delivery vehicle that would act as a moving billboard for the restaurant’s new delivery and catering restaurant in the Beverly Hills and Century City areas, as well as contribute to the company’s environmental stewardship efforts. The unique electric cars make an eye-catching statement as they whirr quietly down the street with El Pollo Loco’s corporate branding wrap. Studies show electric vehicles produce 97 percent less emissions than a gas-powered vehicle. A single electric vehicle driven for 30 miles a day in place of a gas vehicle saves about 700 gallons of gas per year. (more…)