Zap Jonway has added an alternative fuel vehicle to its lineup and describes it as a "New Energy Vehicle." That's a common term in China to describe a host of different powertrains, and is here used to mean a hybrid that combines compressed natural gas with a gasoline engine. Zap Jonway, based in Santa Rosa, CA, is working with its China-based Jonway Auto subsidiary to build the CNG version based on Jonway Auto's A380 SUV (electric version pictured). The CNG hybrid vehicle joins Zap's lineup of specialized electric vehicles, such as the three-wheel Zap Xebra.
The new bi-fuel CNG SUV has been named the CN380. Drivers can utilize the gasoline engine when the CNG is depleted. The gasoline engine also automatically runs during a cold start in order to heat up the engine. The CNG tank has the same "range" capacity as the gasoline tank, so the CNG version can go twice as far as the gas-only model. CN380 SUV comes in either 1.6L or 2.0L for manual transmission, or a 1.8L for both automatic as well as manual transmission. Zap's press release is available below.
The plan is to offer the CN380 for sale in developing countries and in the US. Zap sees the car as a way to be part of the accelerating growth in CNG vehicles around the world. South America is an important market for Zap Jonway since CNG fueling stations are popular in the region and the escalating cost of gasoline tips the scale in a CNG vehicle's favor, with fuel cost savings estimated at around 60 to 65 percent compared to gasoline. China also presents opportunities, as the country is opening up the market for CNG in its southern provinces. Perhaps Iran could be another market for Zap Jonway to try out?
The new bi-fuel CNG SUV has been named the CN380. Drivers can utilize the gasoline engine when the CNG is depleted. The gasoline engine also automatically runs during a cold start in order to heat up the engine. The CNG tank has the same "range" capacity as the gasoline tank, so the CNG version can go twice as far as the gas-only model. CN380 SUV comes in either 1.6L or 2.0L for manual transmission, or a 1.8L for both automatic as well as manual transmission. Zap's press release is available below.
The plan is to offer the CN380 for sale in developing countries and in the US. Zap sees the car as a way to be part of the accelerating growth in CNG vehicles around the world. South America is an important market for Zap Jonway since CNG fueling stations are popular in the region and the escalating cost of gasoline tips the scale in a CNG vehicle's favor, with fuel cost savings estimated at around 60 to 65 percent compared to gasoline. China also presents opportunities, as the country is opening up the market for CNG in its southern provinces. Perhaps Iran could be another market for Zap Jonway to try out?
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