Zeus trucks receive CARB Executive Order

Zeus Z-19 electric work truck. (Photo: Chad Elmore)

Zeus Electric Chassis Inc. said it has been awarded an Executive Order (EO) from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for its model year 2022 Z-19 and Z-22 all-electric work trucks.

The Zeus Z-19 and Z-22 are all-electric cab-chassis designed from the ground-up to provide a severe-duty solution for vocational fleets transitioning Class 5 and 6 diesel vehicles to zero-emission. The company said the design of the vehicle started with an understanding of the total cost of ownership (TCO) over the life of the asset. The Zeus cab-chassis is configurable to accommodate existing, proven OEM bodies and is built to out-perform diesel counterparts and increase long-term return on equity of the work truck.

Tasked as the lead agency to oversee all air pollution control efforts in the state of California, CARB sets a high bar for vehicle emission compliance and documentation. The Executive Order is a written documentation of compliance with CARB regulations for vehicle emission standards, awarded to manufacturers for specific vehicle models and production years. Vehicles may be sold in California only if they have been awarded their EO after review by CARB. Zeus was issued EOs A-485-0001 and –0002 for the Z-19 and Z-22 on February 22.

SMUD, the purchaser of the first five production trucks from Zeus Electric Chassis , received a $60,000 voucher for each truck through California’s HVIP program. (Photo: Chad Elmore)

With these credentials in hand, and upon further review by CARB, the 2022 Zeus Z-19 and Z-22 have been included as eligible vehicles for California’s Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP). On March 30 the HVIP program released access to over $400 million in voucher incentives for zero-emission vehicles. The Class 5 Z-19 is eligible for a $60,000 voucher and the class 6 Z-22 is eligible for a $85,000 voucher. These incentives can be stacked with other local or federal funding initiatives.

“Obtaining our EO and becoming a participant in the California HVIP program are critical milestones in our business development roadmap” said Jim Steffes, vice president of Sales and Dealer Development for Zeus in White Bear Lake, Minn. “The HVIP program is important as it incentivizes the transition to electric vehicles in the commercial transportation market. We’re pleased that customers interested in a Zeus chassis can now take advantage of this funding opportunity in California.”

HVIP was created to accelerate the commercialization of zero-emission and near-zero-emission technologies. by providing point-of-sale vouchers to make advanced vehicles more affordable. Launched by the California Air Resources Board in 2009, the project is part of California Climate Investments.