Delivering "Strength, Longevity and Intelligence" - CEO of ZM Trucks, Joost de Vries

ZM Trucks is North America's newest zero-emission commercial truck brand. Originating from Japan, the company specialises in the R&D, manufacturing, and sales of new-energy commercial vehicles with powertrain choices that include Battery Electric and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric. 

"ZM stands for ZO Motors, a name derived from the Japanese word 'zo' meaning 'elephant' - a symbol of strength, longevity, and intelligence, making it the ideal representation for our commercial vehicles," Joost de Vries, CEO of ZM Trucks, tells Auto Futures.

ZO Motors is part of the ZO Future Group, a publicly traded company since 2002.

"With millions of real-world driving miles across diverse environments, ZM Trucks leverages proven technologies to deliver reliable, cost-effective, and zero-emission vehicles. Backed by strong supply chain partnerships and significant funding, we are committed to providing the commercial sector with reliable, cost-effective, zero-emission transportation solutions," he says.

The electric trucks offered by ZM Trucks provide several key advantages, including Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).  Its battery electric models offer a better cost-per-mile compared to traditional diesel trucks in select markets and segments.

The company also makes charging more cost-effective by providing standard 20 kW AC onboard charging alongside standard DC charging options.

"The 20 kW onboard charger allows for overnight (6 hours) charging using a standard 220v/100a circuit, minimizing the need for complex, expensive 3-phase charging infrastructure. This lowers operational costs for fleet owners who can easily charge their trucks overnight and use them throughout the day," he explains.

Beyond truck sales, ZM Trucks offers complete transportation solutions, including service, diagnostics, parts support, and a cloud-based fleet management system designed to optimise drivers and routes.

"ZM Trucks offers access for industry standard cloud-based fleet management systems from providers like Geotab designed to optimize operations through ZM Trucks’ Over-The-Air (OTA) capabilities."

These systems ensure the fleet operates efficiently, reducing costs and improving productivity. The system also helps to track performance and improve operational efficiencies.

"A further benefit of OTA is the possibility to manage the reporting related to state incentives, ongoing regulatory safety reporting, maintenance alerts and customer support in case of technical issues," he says.

A Global Footprint

ZM Trucks has recently announced its first North American plant in Fontana, California. This 210,000-square-foot facility is expected to start pre-production in the first half of 2025.

"It will initially have a capacity for 6,000 commercial vehicles per year for both domestic and export markets. This facility will serve as the foundation for ZM Trucks’ U.S. operations for electric commercial trucks, terminal tractors, and airport ground service equipment. It reflects ZO Motors’ commitment to commercial transportation and creating job opportunities in the region," says de Vries.

The company's manufacturing plant in Cambodia will be instrumental in supplying the Asian Pacific markets. 

"ZM Trucks' operations in Asia have been quite successful, with its platforms already proven on the road in a variety of environments. For instance, the ZM8 platform has been in use since 2022 and has accumulated over 125 million miles over 6,000+ units. Asia specific models like the ZM3 and ZM6 as well as right hand drive variants have successfully entered markets like Japan, Cambodia, Singapore, and Malaysia."

"The upcoming ZM22 and other models are being developed with strong market demand in mind, and the company’s Asian operations continue to play a key role in expanding ZM Trucks' global footprint," he adds.

Cost Is Key

Finally we asked de Vries what electric mobility in the US will look like by the end of the decade.

"By 2030, the growth of electric mobility in the U.S. will vary depending on the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for logistics companies. Regulatory mandates should be disregarded, as they are subject to change at any time. We firmly believe that BEV, H2i, and FCEV powertrain technologies offer cost advantages to fleet owners in specific segments and markets. However, to drive adoption, we must continue making these technologies more cost-competitive compared to traditional ICE platforms," he predicts.

"While zero emissions are a valuable benefit, they are not the primary factor influencing our customers' purchasing decisions - cost is the key driver. Not all transport segments will see financial benefits from electrification, but for urban duty cycles across many weight classes, price parity - or even better - is becoming achievable," concludes de Vries.