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ZAP Signs Exclusive Distribution Agreement for SMART Car

ZAP (OTC:ZAPZ) has signed a $10 Million purchase agreement with SMART-Automobile LLC to be the exclusive distributor and licensed manufacturer in the United States for its 60-MPG SMART Car. With record gas prices hitting the U.S., officials at ZAP and SMART are excited to be selling one of the most fuel-efficient cars on the planet. Reports indicate that SMART cars can achieve more than 60 miles per gallon in fuel economy, rivaling hybrid gas-electric cars. SMART-Automobile president Thomas Heidemann projects they may sell 15,000 units annually in the U.S. by 2005. "I believe ZAP is the best partner because they have been leaders for fuel efficiency and are focused on creating an auto dealer distribution network for these types of vehicles," said Heidemann. "I wanted to be associated with a company like ZAP that has the ability to capitalize on this sort of opportunity. I have other cars in mind for ZAP's dealer network." ZAP entered the car market in 2003 with the sale of electric cars. The company's new ZAPCAR(TM) earned five trophies at Michelin's Challenge Bibendum, the world's largest competition for fuel-efficient cars. The SMART cars will be distributed in the U.S. as part of ZAP's auto dealer […]

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Ener1 Files Two Patents for New PEM Fuel Cells

Ener1, Inc. (OTC: ENEI), a developer of advanced lithium batteries and fuel cell technologies, announced it has filed a U.S. patent application for a new method and apparatus that enables the rapid start-up of a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell in sub-zero temperatures without the use of external devices. Cold start performance capabilities are crucial to the development of fuel cells for automotive applications. "Ener1's goal is to provide fuel cells that are safe, reliable and comparable in performance to conventional combustion engines, three factors that will contribute to the commercial success of electric vehicles," said Kevin P. Fitzgerald, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Ener1. "Our design and method in cold-starting adds to our growing intellectual property portfolio in fuel cell technology and will make Ener1's fuel cells more attractive to the automotive industry." Ener1's approach for cold starting is to heat the fuel cell by a self- regulating exothermal chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen that takes place uniformly over the cathode catalyst. The process is designed to provide controlled, safe and fast heating of the fuel cell without the use of additional external devices. Ener1's cold-start technology was developed to work with the company's patent-pending fuel […]

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Monsanto Drops GMO Wheat!

Monsanto Co. (NYSE: MON), the world's largest biggest marketer of genetically modified (GMO) seeds, quietly and unexpectedly stated today they are stopping all further efforts to commercialise their controversial GMO wheat. Monsanto started field testing its GMO wheat in 1997. In 2002 it applied to commercially grow the GMO wheat in the US and Canada. Monsanto's wheat has been modified to resist the company's own herbicide, called RoundUp. The GMO wheat has faced worldwide opposition from farmers, food manufacturers, environmentalists and consumers. Monsanto failed to get GMO crops approved for import or cultivation in Europe for the past six years because of consumer and farmer concerns. In its announcement the company said it "is realigning research and development investments to accelerate the development of new and improved traits in corn, cotton, and oilseeds. As part of this realignment, the company is deferring all further efforts to introduce Roundup Ready wheat, until such time that other wheat biotechnology traits are introduced. "As a result of our portfolio review and dialogue with wheat industry leaders, we recognize the business opportunities with Roundup Ready spring wheat are less attractive relative to Monsanto's other commercial priorities," said Carl Casale, executive vice president of Monsanto. […]

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