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ZM Trucks Debuts North American ZEV Truck, Van Lineup

ZM Trucks will present five models in the Class 4, 5, 6, and “baby8” segments, expected to be on sale before the end of 2024.

ZM Trucks Debuts North American ZEV Truck, Van Lineup

ZM Trucks debuted with five zero-emissions models, including the ZM8 Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (left), ZM8 Class 6 Battery Electric Vehicle (right), and ZM4 Class 4 Battery Electric Van.

Photo: ZM Trucks

4 min to read


North America’s newest zero-emissions commercial truck brand, ZM Trucks, made its debut at the 2024 Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in Las Vegas.

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As the western expression of ZO Motors, ZM Trucks will present five models in the Class 4, 5, 6, and “baby8” segments, expected to be on sale before the end of 2024.

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North American-Assembled Trucks

Each ZM Trucks model is optimized for local market needs and will be assembled in North America and compliant with all North American regulations, using platforms that have accumulated millions of real-world driving miles, resulting in purpose-built, zero-emission work trucks, offering total-cost-of-ownership (TCO) advantages versus traditional diesel trucks, the company noted in a news release.

"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," ZM Trucks CEO Joost de Vries said. “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."

Easing the Charging Process

ZM Trucks provides for cost-efficient charging, with 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 and easy upfit solutions. Dual electric Power Takeoffs (ePTOs) are available on all cab/chassis platforms.

ZM Trucks also provides comprehensive support, aiding customers not only with initial paperwork to access State incentives but also with the ongoing reporting requirements, ensuring maximum retention of funds during the transition from diesel-powered trucks to zero-emission solutions.

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Beyond truck sales, ZM Trucks offers complete transportation solutions, including service, diagnostics, parts support, and a cloud-based fleet management system designed to optimize drivers and routes, all focused on reducing cost-per-mile.

The Asian-market production models were displayed at ACT Expo.

ZM's Truck Offerings By the Numbers

ZM4 – A Class 4 Battery Electric Van with a unibody design, high payload and 132 kWh HV battery.
○ Range: 150 mi / 242 km
○ Payload: 5,730 lbs. / 2,600 kg
○ Cargo: 497 cu ft / 14 m³
○ 130 kW E-Axle with underfloor HV Batteries
○ AC Charging: 20% - 100% in 5.5 hrs

ZM8 – A Class 6 Battery Electric Vehicle, ZM8 is equipped with a large cab and flat floor, almost 80 in. of roof height, and the a powerful drivetrain. 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 already accumulated.
○ Range: 160 mi / 260 km
○ Payload: 12,900 lbs. / 5,850 kg
○ 200 kW E-Axle with In-Frame 132 kWh HV Battery
○ ePTO: 15 kW + 30 kW
○ Box Sizes: 18’ - 22’

ZM8 FCEV – A Class 6 Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle with over 2,500,000 miles already accumulated.
○ Range: 186 mi / 300 km
○ Payload: 13,560 lbs. / 6,150 kg
○ Fuel Cell Power: 110 kW
○ Hydrogen Storage: 26 lbs. / 12 kg
○ Rapid Refueling: 5 min
○ ePTO: 15kW + 30 kW

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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.
○ Range: 162 mi / 260 km
○ Payload: 34,060 lbs. / 15,450 kg
○ ePTO: 20kW + 60 kW
○ 240 kW DC Charging: 20%-80% in 36 min
○ Box Sizes: 22’ - 26’

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.
○ Range: 311 mi / 500 km
○ Payload: 34,720 lbs. / 15,750 kg
○ Fuel Cell Power: 200 kW
○ ePTO: 20kW + 60 kW
○ Hydrogen Storage: 66 lbs. / 30 kg
○ Rapid Refueling: 11 minutes

More About ZM Trucks

Originating from Japan, ZM specializes in the R&D, manufacturing, and sales of intelligent new-energy commercial vehicles with powertrain choices that include Battery Electric, Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric and to be announced Hydrogen ICE.

In addition to North America, ZM Trucks’ commercial vehicles are set to enter the South American and the Middle Eastern markets during 2024.

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