Zeus Electric Chassis, Inc. and EAVX announced a joint force to develop and commercialize innovative and industry-leading all-electric vocational work truck solutions. Joint development efforts will focus on integration of the JB Poindexter & Co (JBPCO) commercial truck bodies as well as utility truck bodies and vehicle cargo management systems with the Zeus Power Platform, an all-electric cab chassis. Zeus will leverage JBPCO’s North American operational footprint to help establish a service and support network for the Zeus products.
“We have a proven history of creating and servicing excellent work truck and commercial vehicle bodies and accessories,” says John B. Poindexter, CEO and chairman, JB Poindexter & Co. “We are now expanding our capabilities to provide additional alternative energy solutions through this partnership with Zeus Electric Chassis.”
The collaboration agreement will initially focus on the Class 5 Zeus Z-19 (19,500-lb GVWR) and Class 6 Z-22 (22,300-lb GVWR). It will then quickly expand to the Z-26, a Class 6 with a 26,000-lb GVWR). Additionally, Zeus designed each chassis from the ground-up, and they’re available with a variety of cab options. Initial market penetration will use current and next-generation JBPCO body designs and will be available for pilot programs in 2022.
Bill Brandt, chief revenue officer at Zeus, says the vocational work truck industry is poised for a change toward electrification. He says it’s more than simply installing existing bodies on an electric chassis. “It’s taking a holistic approach and collaborating with industry leaders … and bringing innovative next-generation solutions to market,” Brandt says.
THE ZEUS CHASSIS
Zeus offers a fully configurable Class 4-6 all-electric vocational work truck cab-chassis. The core of the Zeus business model is to align with market-leading vocational work truck body manufacturers and enable them to bring highly effective EV solutions to industry fleets that can out-perform diesel counterparts. The Zeus Power Platform is a ground-up design that offers holistic integration of both mechanical as well as engineered systems between the cab-chassis, body, and auxiliary functions, including a suite of telematics software solutions. Further, collaborating with innovative OEM body companies like JBPCO allows Zeus to deliver productivity, safety, and speed-to-market with each launch.
“As EAVX works with the most advanced alternative energy chassis producers, having a partner like Zeus is beneficial with their holistic approach to integration of systems between the cab-chassis and the body,” says EAVX chief operating officer and general manager, Mark Hope. “Zeus will enable us to demonstrate innovative severe-duty EV work truck solutions in 2022 with plans for commercialized units and trade shows.”
Find out more, visit www.zeuselectricchassis.com.
