ZM Trucks announces new EV truck plant in California

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ZM Trucks California headquarters
ZM Trucks' new 210,000 square foot facility (above) in Fontana, California will be capable of producing 100,000 units annually.
ZM Trucks

One of the newest zero-emissions commercial truck manufacturers is making a go of success in the competitive North American market. ZM Trucks, a subsidiary of Asia's ZO Motors, has announced its first North American manufacturing plant in Fontana, California which doubles as the company's regional headquarters. 

ZM Trucks says the new 210,000 square-foot facility will be capable of churning out up to 100,000 units annually. These commercial trucks will supposedly be offered with battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell (FCEV) powertrains and, at a later date, a hydrogen combustion option will arrive. 

“Our new Fontana facility reflects ZO Motors’ commitment to the U.S. market and sustainable innovation,” said Joost de Vries, CEO of ZO Motors. “This expansion allows us to deliver zero-emission solutions that lower total cost of ownership and drive long-term value for our customers.”    

De Vries previously had executive level stints at Tesla and the now-defunct Fisker. 

ZM Trucks is a new player on the fast-emerging zero-emissions commercial truck space. It made its debut last year at the ACT Expo in Las Vegas where it received a 900-unit order from 32Group.

ZM Trucks ZM8 commercial truckZM TrucksParent company ZO Motors already has a "cutting-edge" production plant in Cambodia that focuses solely on the Asian market. The California plant will further help the company scale operations as part of the process of becoming a global manufacturer. 

ZM Trucks aims to offer a complete lineup of zero-emission trucks, including a Class 3 cargo van and a Class 8 tractor with an impressive 154,000 lb. GVWR. 

“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,” de Vries added. “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.”

Jay Traugott has covered the automotive and transportation sector for over a decade and now serves as Senior Editor for Clean Trucking. He holds a drifting license and has driven on some of the world's best race tracks, including the Nurburgring and Spa. He lives near Boulder, Colorado, and spends his free time snowboarding, climbing, and hiking. He can be reached at [email protected].

Hydrogen Fuel Cell & BEV Survey
The following survey was sent as a link in an email cover message in February 2023 to the newsletter lists for Overdrive and CCJ. After approximately two weeks, a total of 176 owner-operators under their own authority, 113 owner-operators leased or assigned to a carrier and 82 fleet executives and 36 fleet employees from fleets with 10 or more power units had completed and submitted the questionnaire for a total of 407 qualified responses. Cross-tabulations based on respondent type are provided for each question when applicable.
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