ZM Trucks debuts at ACT Expo. The new ZE truck manufacturer introduces five models

North America’s newest zero-emissions commercial truck brand, ZM Trucks, made its debut at ACT Expo, the major sustainable transport exhibition currently held in Las Vegas. ZM Trucks, the Western brand of Japanese new energy truck manufacturer ZO Motors, introduced five truck models in the Class 4, 5, 6 and “baby8” segments, expected to be on sale before the end of 2024.

According to the brand, 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 market-proven 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.

Let’s get familiar with the ZM Trucks brand

ZM Trucks provides for 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 and easy upfit solutions. 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.

“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,” stated 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.”

Five truck models on display at ACT Expo

Namely, ZM Trucks offers the ZM4 with 2.6 kg payload and 242 km range. The ZM8 is equipped with the industry’s largest cab with a flat floor, 260 km range and 5,850 payload. The truck also features the FCEV version, with up to 300 km range and 110 kW fuel cell power. The ZM22 is a Class 8 BEV truck, 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. The latter also has its FCEV version with the same proven e-Axle as the battery electric ZM22 and supported by a 60 kWh in-frame HV battery. Range up to 500 km.