ANN ARBOR, Mich., May 6, 2010 -- Al Unser Jr. will drive for the ZAP Alias team as it competes in the Progressive Insurance Automotive X-PRIZE (PIAXP).

PIAXP is a competition established to encourage the development of clean, production-ready vehicles that will do better than 100 miles per gallon. There are over $10 million in prizes.

The Shakedown Stage of the competition began on May 2 and runs until May 8 at Michigan International Raceway. Unser’s first appearance behind the wheel is this week at MIS.

"We at ZAP are delighted that a driver of Al's capability and winning tradition has agreed to join the ZAP team in our quest to raise the visibility of electric cars," said ZAP CEO Steve Schneider. "It really means a lot to ZAP and to the acceptance of electric vehicles in the U.S. market to have someone the caliber of Al Unser Jr. take part in this competition."

The ZAP Alias is an all-electric car that, according to the company, has a range of more than 100 miles on a single charge. If it ever comes to market, the company hopes that it will have an MSRP around $35,000. ZAP is hoping lessons learned from participating in the PIAXP price will help it come to market sooner.

"I just love the Alias," said Unser. "It's clean, mean and green! I'm proud to be selected as the driver for ZAP. I want this vehicle, so I am going to help ZAP make the Alias a commercial reality."

Since 1994, ZAP has been producing electric vehicles for government and corporate customers in more than 75 countries. It sells electric city-only cars and trucks and is hoping to introduce the Alias to consumers in the U.S. in the future. The company recently started a pilot program for an electric taxi in China.

For more information about the ZAP car and updates from MIS, visit http://zapalias.wordpress.com.