LAS VEGAS—North America’s newest zero-emissions commercial truck brand, ZM Trucks, debuted at the Advanced Clean Transportation Expo. As the western expression of ZO Motors, ZM Trucks presented five models in the Class 4, 5, 6, and “baby 8” segments, expected to be on sale before the end of 2024. Each ZM Trucks model is optimized for local market needs and will be assembled in North America and compliant with all North American regulations, resulting in purpose-built, zero-emission work trucks, offering total cost-of-ownership advantages versus traditional diesel trucks.
"ZM Trucks isn't your typical untested startup. As a subsidiary of ZO Motors Tokyo, our zero-emissions vehicles are grounded in proven and reliable technology, as well as solid funding and access to supply chain resources and partnerships that would be out of reach for most brands starting out," said Joost de Vries, CEO of ZM Trucks. “ZM Trucks will offer tangible financial, operational, and regulatory competitive advantages, such as improved cost-per-mile performance, decreased downtime for maintenance, better city-center access due to noise abatement regulations, and enhanced driver comfort."
ZM Trucks provides cost-efficient charging, making battery electric vehicle driving hassle-free with powerful 20 kW AC charging solutions, alongside standard DC charging options. A standard 220V/100A circuit will allow for overnight charging. The trucks are designed with clean back-of-cab and chassis rails, enabling efficient upfit solutions. With available dual electric power takeoffs on all cab/chassis platforms, ZM Trucks are ready for the challenges of the work truck world.
See also: Kenworth debuts its SuperTruck 2 demonstration vehicle
The Asian-market production models displayed at ACT Expo included the ZM4, ZM8, ZMx FCEV, and ZM22. See below for details and basic specs on the North American versions coming later in 2024:
- ZM4: A Class 4 battery-electric van with a unibody design, high payload, and 132 kWh HV battery.
- ZM8: A Class 6 battery-electric vehicle, ZM8 is equipped with the industry’s largest cab with a flat floor, almost 80 inches of roof height, and the most powerful drivetrain in its class. The ZM8 platform has been sold in Asian countries since early 2022, with more than 6,000 units on the road and over 125,000,000 miles accumulated.
- ZM8FCEV: A market-proven Class 6 fuel cell electric vehicle with over 2,500,000 miles already accumulated.
- ZM22: A Class 8 battery-electric vehicle with proven drivetrain in various Asian brands. Ground-up EV chassis designed with 264 kWh in-frame HV batteries and a 2-speed, dual motor e-Axle capable of 500 kW peak power.
- ZM22 FCEV: A Class 8 fuel cell electric vehicle with the same proven e-Axle as the battery electric ZM22 and supported by a 60 kWh in-frame HV battery.
