Electric-vehicle provider ZAP announced Tuesday that its newest dealership, Alvarez ZAP, in Riverside, Calif., will serve the commercial and government markets in the Inland Empire.

Alvarez ZAP delivered its first shipment of six electric trucks to the city of Riverside last week. "Today we take another step forward in the greening of Riverside by transitioning from gas to electrically operated vehicles. We are proud to add ZAP trucks to our fleet," said Riverside Mayor Ron Loveridge during the press conference.

Alvarez Zap's dealer president, Ramon Alvarez, has had a long affiliation with the Lincoln, Mercury and Jaguar nameplates. Alvarez, along with six Riverside city council members, the city manager, as well as Joel Ayala, who represented the Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's office of economic development, attended last week's press conference.

Gov. Schwarzenegger appointed Alvarez to the New Motor Vehicle Board in March 2007. Alvarez is currently the vice president of that organization. "As a member of the New Motor Vehicle Board, I have seen the evolution of alternative energy vehicles to the point where they are moving into the automotive mainstream. I believe ZAP represents the best opportunity to capitalize on that trend," Alvarez said.

Commenting on Alvarez's decision to become the newest ZAP electric-vehicle dealer, ZAP CEO Steven Schneider said, "Ramon has passion and understanding. He genuinely gets it. He knows the importance that new energy vehicles play today and the marketplace of tomorrow."