SEBASTOPOL, Calif., Dec. 14, 2001 (PRIMEZONE) -- Rain or shine, take a visit to the new ZAP (Nasdaq:ZAPP) electric scooter store in San Rafael, kick the tires, take a test lap and even take one home for the holidays. The ZAP store at Northgate Mall has an indoor track that offers test rides and amusement rides on the future of transportation.
Opened by electric vehicle pioneer ZAP of Sebastopol, California, the new store features folding electric scooters, moped-class electric scooters, electric bicycles and more. ZAP makes the popular electric scooter called the ZAPPY, which was featured on The Today Show, ridden by pop-rock sensation Smashmouth, and featured in Disney's new film "The Princess Diaries."
Because electric vehicles produce no harmful emissions, they can be operated safely indoors. ZAP has launched a handful of retail stores at shopping malls in California. Dennis Mentelos, who runs a ZAPPYLAND store in Santa Rosa, California, says the indoor tracks are a great attraction for the holidays, but they have also sparked a new pastime for kids looking for ways to have fun during rainy weather. "During the busy times, the line for the scooter track is longer than the line to sit on Santa's lap," said Mentelos. "The store was such a great attraction for the mall during the holidays they asked us to keep it year around."
The ZAPPY is a 30-pound scooter equipped with an electric motor and rechargeable battery that propels the vehicle up to 13 MPH for a range up to eight miles per charge. Many buy it for fun, but the ZAPPY can also be used as a practical, efficient means of short-range transportation. The store also has electric bicycles and moped-class electric scooters.
The new ZAP store is located at 2180 Northgate Mall in San Rafael near Macy's. For further information and holiday store hours, call 415-479-5965. For directions, visit http://www.themallatnorthgate.com .
Founded in 1994, ZAP is a leader in the market for electric bicycles, scooters, motorbikes and other low-speed, efficient electric transportation and recreational vehicles. For Internet ordering visit http://www.zapworld.com. Order by phone at 800-251-4555.