Spark-EV Zotye the first affordable highway speed EV available in North America?

Not to burst your bubble...but here's another (more recent) post from AutoblogGreen:

Thanks to our reader Mike, we have an update to share about the troubled history of Michael Papp electric vehicle company. Regular readers will remember that Papp is the man behind Spark EV, a company that has been accused more than once of shady dealings. It looks like the New Jersey law officials agree, and have decided to step in to put a stop to Papp's scam.

According to the Express Times, Papp was arrested Friday after failing to deliver 14 electric vehicles to Electric Cars of Houston (which had ordered 10) and Electric Transportation of Arkansas (four). Papp is charged with bilking them for almost $100,000, according to court records. The EVs were paid for in January and February, and Papp told the payers the vehicles would be delivered March 14. They weren't. After trying to track down what happened, the companies asked for a refund. Papp answered that he was filing for bankruptcy, so no go. Apparently, Papp is in Northampton County Prison and being held on $20,000 bail. We'll have more on this as things move forward, I can guarantee you that.

Also, a few months ago when that ABG post came out about the Zotye came out, I did a bit of research on it.  I came across an email thread about the Zotye and some interested EV folks to Michael Papp.  There was some question about whether or not the Zotye is actually electric because the Chinese company doesn't list any details online about an EV version of the car.  Also...in all of the images of the car, there's a tail pipe.  I'll see if I can find that thread again.

But regardless...I think with all of Michael Papp's troubles, I don't think we'll see any vehicles from Spark on the road any time soon.

Dana1981,

I am new to Huddler.  I read you post about Spark-EV.  And, I read and replied to Stins post.  Stay away from Spark-EV and Michael Papp.  What Stins posted is correct.  From what I have been reading on the internet, alot of victims of Spark-EV.

I see that this post has been cold for a while, but I just found it so I am going to reply.  I work for one of the dealers that lost money on Spark-EV.  To this day, no money has been returned to us and court dates continue to be pushed back.  The whole deal was pretty messy and it isn't over yet...

Ooff...that does not sound like fun.

I can't believe that happened.  It gives a bad rap to EVs (although hopefully as more and more cars start hitting the road, people will become even more confident in the technology).

I hope Spark-EV is held accountable for the mess.  Keep us posted on what happens!

Hollywood's New Favorite Green Electric SUV : The Zotye

Green Automotive to Host 2010 Emmy Awards showing Zotye Electric SUV http://newsitelink.com/b/?0ho00f0d

Sure is funny (just being an observer) and looking at the uphill battle of EVs.  In 2006 the Triac was introduced- I saw one on a trailer back then and it never came off.  I bought an old EV because it worked "here and now".  Still- no Triacs today.   Architects have worked so hard against plug-in vehicles it seems.  When I moved from an older condo to a newer apartment no outlets were near garages in anything I saw.  That EV sold due to being impractical before I moved earlier this year (2010). Last I heard that EV broke down anyway.

I did keep my EV trike which I leave in my old garage where I can charge it (main building red tagged unsafe to occupy but garage is separate).  If I wanted to get a new EV here - I could not charge it.  But I can enjoy watching EV concepts while riding my hybrid EV trike.

Interesting how size and weight keep on trying so hard not to change from big/heavy available now in gas-burning vehicles.  Whatever.  I had a blast at Sunday Streets in San Francisco using my small/light EV trike.