Consumers Continue to Demand Environmentally Friendly Cars and Automakers Respond with Electric, Plug-in Hybrids and Flex-Fuel `Green` Vehicles

Released on = December 7, 2006, 7:40 am

Press Release Author = Econ Corporate Services, Inc

Industry = Environment

Press Release Summary = RenewableEnergyStocks.com - Issues of Global Warming, Fuel
Prices and Energy Independence Drive Demand for Cleantech Vehicles

Press Release Body =
Consumers Continue to Demand Environmentally Friendly Cars and Automakers Respond
with Electric, Plug-in Hybrids and Flex-Fuel 'Green' Vehicles

RenewableEnergyStocks.com - Issues of Global Warming, Fuel Prices and Energy
Independence Drive Demand for Cleantech Vehicles

POINT ROBERTS, WA and DELTA, BC - December 7, 2006, www.RenewableEnergyStocks.com, a
leading investor and industry portal for the renewable energy sector, reviews the
momentum surrounding the green car industry as global warming, costly fuel prices
and the need for energy independence drives demand. Alternative transportation
companies such as electric car developer and distributor ZAP (OTCBB: ZAAP) with
current electric models on the market today, and ethanol producer Green Plains
Renewable Energy (NASDAQ: GPRE), work to capitalize on consumer demands for cleaner
vehicles and fuels. With the shift towards green cars taking hold, automakers such
as Honda, General Motors, Toyota and others are stepping up efforts for further
research and development in this area.

As the auto industry faces recent slipping sales, clean energy vehicles are catching
the attention of consumers looking for efficiency and environmentally friendly
alternatives, giving manufacturers a new direction for growth. The momentum behind
green cars is a reaction to a variety of factors such as fuel prices despite current
declines, environmental issues such as greenhouse gas emissions and global national
energy security concerns.

This week many new clean energy vehicles are being introduced at the Los Angeles
Auto Show, a platform for the unveiling of current and future alternative vehicles.
Creating a buzz were displays of plug-in hybrids, which use electric motors with a
gasoline engine as a backup, and electric vehicles that run entirely on electricity.
Also in the mix were natural gas, ethanol and biodiesel vehicles. Another event, the
AltCars Expo this weekend in Santa Monica, is shaping up to be the one of the
premiere events for alternative fuel vehicles, and many of the new models and
concepts will be present.

Recently, major automakers Toyota, Honda, General Motors and Nissan revealed a
future that includes the production of various clean energy models. General Motors
CEO Rick Wagoner has announced GM's plans to develop a plug-in hybrid for its Saturn
Vue Green Line SUV, but with no specific date for production revealed. General
Motors has also unveiled the concept behind the Hummer "O2" which converts carbon
dioxide to oxygen using algae-filled body panels.

General Motors is also focusing on cars that run on ethanol (E85) as part of their
overall corporate environmental strategy moving forward. With ethanol becoming more
widely available, as more producers such as Green Plains Renewable Energy (NASDAQ:
GPRE) bring plant production online, these flex-fuel vehicles offer automakers
viable near term opportunities while they continue to develop their next generation
of green cars.

Hyundai is committing research efforts to hydrogen-powered fuel cells and vehicles
that run on clean diesel as well as gas-electric hybrids. Honda is also looking at
fuel cells with plans for hydrogen-powered sedans for 2008. Toyota Motor Corp, the
largest seller of traditional hybrids, is another major automaker talking about
developing plug-in models.

While many companies pursue the plug-in hybrid models, full electric vehicles are
rapidly grabbing industry attention. While there are very few publicly owned
companies currently offering mass-produced electric cars, one private firm Tesla
Motors is showcasing its new Roadster prototype, planned for limited production as
early as 2007, but with a price tag of $100,000USD. Nissan has plans for a 125-mile
range all-electric car, but plans for production are targeted for 2010.

Electric car manufacturer and distributor ZAP (OTCBB: ZAAP) has a jump on the market
with the only mass-produced and affordable electric car available for sale today.
ZAP's XEBRA city-car and truck is currently on sale through dealerships in Los
Angeles for approximately $10,000USD. With most automakers looking several years
down the road for market entry of most plug-in hybrids and electric models, ZAP
appears well positioned to fill today's consumer demands.

As a sign of things to come Yahoo! has created a special feature within Yahoo! Autos
dedicated to green cars including ratings, technological overviews as well as
community information and news pointing towards further validation of the potential
behind the green car market.

To read more on ZAP (OTCBB: ZAAP) visit:
http://www.renewableenergystocks.com/CO/ZAAP/Default.asp or the Company's website at
www.zapworld.com

To read more on Green Plains Renewable Energy (NASDAQ: GPRE) visit:
http://www.renewableenergystocks.com/co/gpre/ or the Company's website at:
www.gpreethanol.com

ZAP and Green Plains Renewable Energy are featured companies on
www.RenewableEnergyStocks.comT, an investor and industry portal within the
InvestorIdeas.comT content umbrella. InvestorIdeas.comT does not make
recommendations, but offers investors research, news, blogs, RSS Feeds, online
conferences, interviews and links to public companies within the renewable energy
and cleantech sector. The green technology investor portals also provide content
through the Clean Energy News Blog, Renewable Energy Blog and articles by solar
expert, J. Peter Lynch, all available on RenewableEnergyStocks.comT.

For InvestorIdeas.comT compensation details see disclaimer below.

This InvestorIdeas.com portal also includes one of the most comprehensive stock
lists in the renewable energy sector:
http://www.renewableenergystocks.com/Companies/RenewableEnergy/Stock_List.asp

RenewableEnergyStocks.comT translated in German:
http://www.renewableenergystocks.com/RES_deu/Default.asp


Disclaimer: Our sites do not make recommendations, but offer information portals to
research news, articles, stock lists and recent research. Nothing on our sites
should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or
securities. We attempt to research thoroughly, but we offer no guarantees as to the
accuracy of information presented. All Information relating to featured companies is
sourced from public documents and/ or the company and/or IR firm and is not the
opinion of our web sites. The site is currently compensated by its \"featured
companies.\" Green Plains Renewable Energy (NASDAQ: GPRE) contract extended 30 days,
expenses only; ZAP (OTCBB ZAAP) pays Two thousand five hundred per month equivalent
in shares for one year commencing Nov 2006, discounted as a courtesy to previous
sponsorship of the InvestorIdeas Greentech contest.
www.InvestorIdeas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp

For more information contact:

Dawn Van Zant 800.665.0411
Ann-Marie Fleming 866.725.2554
Email: dvanzant@investorideas.com, or afleming@investorideas.com

Source: RenewableEnergyStocks.comT, ZAP, Green Plains Renewable Energy


Web Site = http://www.renewableEnergyStocks.com

Contact Details = Dawn Van Zant 800.665.0411
Ann-Marie Fleming 866.725.2554
Email: dvanzant@investorideas.com, or afleming@investorideas.com

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