ZAP to Sell smart Car in U.S.

ZAP, a company primarily known for its electric bikes, scooters, and other small electric-powered vehicles, has signed a $10 million purchase agreement with SMART-Automobiles LLC to be the exclusive U.S. distributor for the Smart car now imported by the company. Smart-Automobiles LLC is an independent, privately-held company that oversees the direct importation and modification of automobiles to meet U.S. standards. At an estimated 60 mpg, the Smart car easily rivals the kind of fuel economy achieved by hybrid electric vehicle models, which the Smart achieves with its 61-hp, 3-cylinder turbocharged engine and its remarkably small size and weight.