Zeus Electric Chassis showcased its all-electric bucket concept truck for the first time.

The 19,500 GVWR truck featured a custom-engineered Reading Truck Classic II service body and a Terex Hi-Ranger LT40 aerial device upfitted to the Class 5 Zeus Z-19 Electric Smart Chassis.

The Future of Fleet Transportation

Jim Steffes, vice president of business development and strategy for Zeus shared at Advanced Clean Transportation Expo 2023 that the all-electric bucket truck represents the future of fleet transportation for medium-duty applications.

He added that the Zeus Z-19 platform is currently the only vocational Class 5 chassis awarded a CARB EO and related HVIP funding eligibility.

Steffes said the recent CARB Advanced Clean Fuels ruling announcement will set the stage for new orders of medium-duty electric vehicles for Zeus in California and beyond. “We’re getting tremendous interest from fleets in CARB states,” he said.

“Fleet transition to electrification is a complex and long-term process, but we can mitigate these impacts by demonstrating solutions that address additional power capacity,” Steffes added.

“High-powered tools draw greater current, often in short bursts, causing additional thermal loads and decreased capacity. Power, payload, and performance are equally important to fleets and other industry stakeholders, and we’re working with Terex and Reading Truck to address all of these.”

The First EV Distributed 55-Ft. Class Bucket Truck

“As a leader bringing the first EV distribution 55-ft. class bucket truck to the industry, we support Zeus’ development of a super-duty application. When this truck is ready for the market, we expect to be right there with Zeus,” said Joe Caywood, director of marketing and product manager for Terex Utilities.

“The Hi-Ranger LT40 aerial device is powered by a Terex HyPower SmartPTO system by Viatec, an ePTO solution that powers the outriggers and all aerial boom functions at 28.8 kwh and is independent of the vehicle power source,” Caywood added.

Steffes noted that Zeus Electric Chassis is committed to developing innovative electric vehicle solutions that meet the needs of fleet operators across various industries.

With the support of partners like Terex and Reading Truck Body, he added, the company is well-positioned to bring its GEN 3 and GEN 4 all-electric trucks to market, and to help accelerate the transition to sustainable transportation.