About Us
Mission And Goals
Design Philosophy
Z Electric Vehicle
We are a Manufacturer of Electric Vehicles including:
Motor Scooters, E-Bikes, Trikes, Pickup trucks, Delivery trucks, and Bus
The Wright brothers designed bicycles before they designed airplanes. ZEV engineers designed and built airplanes before designing Electric Vehicles.
"The way to change the world is to build world changing products our customers use to better their lives and the world."
News
ZEV NEWS AND EVENTS
HEADLINES
(photos and detail below)
2024
ZEV launches its light truck models (May)
ZEV launched the model 512 three person Wheelchair Transporter (April)
2023
ZEV launched the 511 single person Wheelchair Transporter
ZEV launched the redesigned, faster, and longer range T3-5d SUV 115 Trike
2019
ZEV INTRODUCES THE T3-PICKUP TRIKE IN NORTH AMERICA IN LONG RANGE VERSIONS (Jan 2019)
ZEV INTRODUCES THE T3-5d TRIKE IN LITHIUM LONG RANGE (Jan 2019)
ZEV TAKES ASIAN DEALERS FOR ON FACTORY TOURS
DISTRIBUTOR FOR SRI LANKA CONTRACTED, SUB DEALERS SIGN UP
2018
ZEV PREPARES FACTORY PRODUCTION TO ENTER ASIAN MARKETS IN SRI LANKA, BANGLADESH.
2017
ZEV LAUNCHES PRODUCTION LRC-X (Dec 2017
ZEV BEGINS DISTRIBUTION IN INDIA (Oct 2017)
2016
ZEV PROJECT LRC-X 170 MILE RANGE, 110 MPH PROTOTYPE (Aug 2016)
ZEV LRC T15 TILTING / LEANING TRIKE INTRODUCED. (Aug 2016)
ZEV LRC 15 COMPETES IN THE VETTER EFFICIENCY CHALLENGE (July 2016)
2015
ZEV LRC 15 COMPLETES ROAD TESTING (Aug 2015)
ZEV ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE FIRST GLIMPSE (Sept 2015)
2014
ZEV CONTRACTS FOR ADVANCED MANUFACTURING AND DESIGN EQUIPMENT. (Jan. 2014)
ZEV LAUNCHES THE 4,000 WATT, DUAL MOTOR HD BICYCLE . (April 2014)
ZEV 30 kw MOTOR READY. (October 2014)
2013
ZEV BEGINS DELIVERY OF DANISH POST OFFICE DELIVERY TRIKE CHASSIS AND DRIVE TRAIN Feb. 2013
ZEV NOW SHIPPING THE MODEL 2700 WORLDWIDE Mar. 2013
ZEV BEGINS PRODUCTION OF THE 10 KW / 10 KWH LRC Mar 2013
ZEV REVEALS NEW LIGHT MOTORBIKE TO DEALERS April 2013
ZEV WINS 14 AWARDS FROM THE STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA FOR EXPORT SALES. June 6, 2013.
2012
ZEV 7100 LR (LONG RANGE) GOES INTO PRODUCTION July 2012
10 Kwh BATTERY PACK and 10 KW MOTOR COMBO TESTING COMPLETED. OKAY FOR PRODUCTION OF NEW MODELS November 2012
2010
ZEV GOES ROAD RACING (Oct 2010)
SPIRA CAR COMPANY BUILDING A PROTOTYPE WITH ZEV POWERTRAIN
ZEV ON DISPLAY AT KOLN GERMANY INTERMOT (Oct 2010)
PENNSYLVANIA PARKS PURCHASES A ZEV FOR PARK PROMOTION. PONDERS USE OF ZEV BY PARK RANGERS
ZEV ENGINEERS BEGIN HIGH ALTITUDE ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT MOTOR DEVELOPMENT
ZEV ENGINEERS BEGIN GENERAL AVIATION ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT MOTOR TESTING
ZEV TESTS THE NEW 20 KW BIKE MOTOR
THRUST CYCLE GYRO VEHICLE COMPANY ADOPTS ZEV POWERTRAIN
ZEV SCHEDULED FOR PA. PARKS VEHICLE EVALUATIONS
ZEV TESTING NEW LIGHT MOTORBIKE AND BICYCLE MOTORS
ZEV INTRODUCES NEW LOW PRICED MODEL FOR THE SE ASIAN MARKET
ZEV BEGINS DELIVERY OF NEW REDESIGNED 5000 LA
ZEV RECEIVES APPROVAL FOR SALE IN AUSTRALIA
FIRST ZEV REGISTERED IN SINGAPORE
PHOTOS AND NEWS DETAILS
ZEV PROJECT LRC-X 170 MILE RANGE, 110 MPH PROTOTYPE INITIATED.
Aug 2016. ZEV has initiated project LRC-X, an enlarged battery pack version of its already super scooter LRC. Prototype testing indicates 170 mile range at 55 mph can be achieved. Speed testing indicates the bike can achieve 110 mph. Testing is planned to run through Feb 1/2017 before the official launch is made.
ZEV COMPETES IN THE VETTER EFFICIENCY CHALLENGE
July 10, 2016 ZEV competed for the first time in the Vetter Challenge Efficiency run in Ohio competing against one off custom streamliners in both gas and electric with its dead stock LRC. ZEV ran without its rear cargo box and could not score a total win since it did not carry the box/cargo. The company rider also missed a turn and drove an extra 8 miles coming in behind the rest of the leaders. However, the results were such that ZEV can establish that its claims of extreme efficiency are true given that the dead stock LRC beat all of the custom built streamliners except one losing only by 3% efficiency in the 135 mile competition and running with bikes carrying to 30% more battery capacity than the ZEV. Not bad for the first time attempt. Now we know how the race is run, wait until next year. We will then have a GPS to not get lost, and will carry the cargo box.
ZEV GOES ROAD RACING
Oct 2010 We found a new way to enjoy our bikes and to develop and test them. Road racing!! ZEV went road racing at the Intermot in Koln Germany. Great fun had by all. We need to find a way to get this racing more widespread. One of our riders went down hard and was out of the race, another only enough to break his throttle - but he still finished 3rd overall holding the throttle in place. We ran first in voltage class in all category. We even ran our 6000L lead silicate battery bike along with the 7100 models. The duct tape is rule required over any head/tail lights.
SPIRA CAR COMPANY BUILDING AN ELECTRIC PROTOTYPE WITH A ZEV POWERTRAIN
The Automotive X Prize contestant, Spira, has installed a 6100 Trail drive system into a SPIRA car with the intent of testing the market with an electric version of their car. The Ballard brothers are hard at it. The car tested well and efforts are now in progress to set up a production facility.
ZEV ON DISPLAY AT KOLN GERMANY INTERMOT ZEV MADE THE TRIP TO THE WORLD'S LARGEST MOTORCYCLE SHOW AT KOLN.
Over 1,000 people test drove the 7100 model.
PENNSYLVANIA PARKS PURCHASES A ZEV FOR PARK PROMOTION. PONDERS USE OF ZEV BY PARK RANGERS, MAKES A SHORT MOVIE ABOUT ZEV
August 2011 The Pennsylvania Parks system has purchased a ZEV 4100 for use in a promotional program for the park system. They also have made a short movie about using a ZEV to promote fuel savings and better living. This movie is about a student getting a ZEV
In August, the rangers at Bald Eagle State Park test drove the ZEV7100. The interest by the parks is to place rangers on the quiet ZEV for park patrol and general run about errands.
Pa. Parks is noting ZEV as a partner and directing park attendees to the ZEV web site under its Conservation programs. http://www.iconservepa.org/livelocal/gettingaround/index.htm
Pa Parks is giving away a ZEV3600 as part of its program. http://www.iconservepa.org/csi/csisupersleuth/index.htm
ZEV ENGINEERS BEGIN HIGH ALTITUDE ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT MOTOR DEVELOPMENT
ZEV ENGINEERS BEGIN GENERAL AVIATION ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT MOTOR TESTING
August 2011 ZEV engineers have begun testing of aircraft engine propulsion systems that utilize the ZEV controllers and motor components. The motors are the standard ZEV hub or torque motor design, but such that they are held to the aircraft by the shaft, leaving the hub motor to turn. The propeller is mounted to the hub motor face and turns with the magnet ring. The initial thrust tis to develop motors for high altitude government programs for customers which need to turn very large diameter propellers to cope with the low air density at the target altitude of 65,000 ft. The general aviation counterparts require far higher rpm and run much smaller propellers. The internal components are the same as those used in the ZEV motor scooters and cycles. The controllers used in the aircraft systems use identical components to that of the bikes with the addition of liquid cooling in the high altitude systems. In an airplane, the motors are required to labor at high power settings for hours on end. Initial development is of motors to 30 Kw in power.
ZEV TESTS THE NEW 20 KW CONTINUOUS POWER BIKE MOTOR
July 2011 ZEV has begun testing of its new 20 Kw electric motor scooter and motor cycle hub motor and controller package. Dyno tests were completed in July. The new motor is rated for 20 Kw continuous, 36 Kw for up to 3 minutes. This motor is intended for a new super scooter now in prototype and for a reverse trike now in design.
THRUST CYCLE GYRO VEHICLE COMPANY ADOPTS ZEV POWERTRAIN
Thrust Cycle has chosen the ZEV powertrain as used in the ZEV7100 to power its two unique gyro stabilized vehicles first seen in GIZMAG at http://www.gizmag.com/thrustcycle-srt-new-version/20805/?utm_source=Gizmag+Subscribers&utm_campaign=de6d61cc2c-UA-2235360- 4&utm_medium=email
ZEV TESTING NEW LIGHT MOTORBIKE AND BICYCLE MOTORS
Feb 2012. ZEV has completed testing on the new motors for a light motorbike (large OD wheels, 2000 watts) and for a new corporation spin off, high performance bicycle line. The motorbike will be unique. Nothing else is like it on the market. Compared to the bicycle industry standard, the motors are huge in diameter. But, ZEV engineers found they could have a 300% + increase in hill climbing torque, at about the same weight as a standard bicycle motor, without any additional power consumption. Testing now shifts to testing of the controllers and other systems as the production jigs and tooling is being readied.
ZEV INTRODUCES NEW LOW PRICED MODEL FOR THE BOOMING MARKET IN VIETNAM
April 2012 ZEV has shipped the first of its new Z2100 and Z2400 bikes to Vietnam to the dealer networks it is opening there to serve that booming market. This was the first production run of these new bikes. They are fitted with the new dual stator 10 inch hub motor which offers unusual climbing ability and the new high capacity lead battery. The bikes were designed to enable two different rear cargo boxes, one of a large size for delivery use. A market test is being planned to see if this bike has a market potential in Europe and the large city of the USA.
ZEV BEGINS DELIVERY OF NEW REDESIGNED
5000 LA May 2012. ZEV began delivery of the all new and freshly redesigned 5000 LA model. This is a new version based around leaps in battery capacity in lead based battery that enable lithium battery bike range at far lower prices. This is ZEV's "bang for the buck" model.
ZEV RECEIVES APPROVAL FOR SALE IN AUSTRALIA
MAY 2012. ZEV has received approval from Australia to begin sales of all of the versions of the standard scooter from 3600 to 7100 Long Range. The T series model will now be entered in the approval process to start down the path of its approval.
FIRST ZEV REGISTERED IN SINGAPORE
June 2012. The first customer owned ZEV is registered and on the streets of Singapore.
ZEV 7100 LR (LONG RANGE) GOES INTO PRODUCTION
July 2012 The 7100 Long Range is now in production. The first production run is going to Australia to dealers there. The model was placed on the ZEV website for general sales.
10 Kwh BATTERY PACK and 10 KW MOTOR COMBO TESTING COMPLETED. OKAY FOR PRODUCTION OF NEW MODELS
Nov 2012 Testing of the new 10 kw motor in combination with the new 10 kwh battery pack has been completed with zero issues. Test vehicles reached range of 140 miles/225 km. Two new models are planned immediately being a Long Range version of the T-7100, and an all new design maxi scooter designed with more weather protection for the long range commuter.
ZEV BEGINS DELIVERY OF DANISH POST OFFICE DELIVERY TRIKE CHASSIS AND DRIVE TRAIN
Feb. 2013 The first chassis and power train for the first test vehicle built to the spec of the Danish Post delivery trike were shipped to Denmark. This vehicle is based off of a ZEV heavy weight motor scooter chassis with the front changed to a trike configuration. A slow vehicle, but carrying 260 kg (573 lbs) of mail over long distances with hundreds of stops and starts a day. The trike will be equipped with the ZEV power train and tested through to the end of 2013.
ZEV NOW SHIPPING THE MODEL 2700 WORLDWIDE
Mar. 2013 The smallest ZEV motor scooter, the model 2700, although originally intended just for SE Asia markets, is now being shipped world wide. It seems that the little bike has a big appeal as a delivery bike.
ZEV BEGINS PRODUCTION OF THE 10 KW / 10 KWH LRC
Mar 2013. The long in development 10 kw motor and 10 kwh battery pack are now in the newest ZEV model, the LRC. The first customer bikes are moving through the shop.
ZEV REVEALS NEW LIGHT MOTORBIKE TO DEALERS
April 2013. ZEV is going to try to recreate the impact that the Honda 50 and 90 did on the motorcycle industry in the 1960s with a new line of very low price, electric motor bikes. Not a scooter, the bikes run fat, motorcycle tires on 17 inch wheels, and use parts for light motorcycles/bikes, but they also have pedals. Thus the first launch models will be able to be licensed as Mopeds or as bicycles. This is our B-750 model. Power to 2000 watts are being launched simultaneously
ZEV WINS 14 AWARDS FROM THE STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA FOR EXPORT SALES
June 6, 2013. ZEV was awarded 14 awards by Governor Tomblin (center) of West Virginia for export sales at a presentation at the State Capital on June 6 . During the year 2012, ZEV added 14 additional countries to its sales distribution areas.
ZEV CONTRACTS FOR ADVANCED MANUFACTURING AND DESIGN EQUIPMENT.
Jan 2014. ZEV has contracted with the RCBI WV Manufacturing Technology center ( http://www.rcbi.org
) to use the advanced equipment available through the state of WV at mere hourly rental rates. This places millions of dollars of equipment at the use of ZEV. The equipment most of use to ZEV is the A) 3D printers that can print out new ABS bodywork for designs avoiding the huge mold costs. B) Gantry mold carving machine and autoclave that can enable ZEV to jump from 2 wheel vehicles to building enclosed body vehicles. C) CAD/CAM milling centers and large lathes so that prototype and low volume motors can be made without incurring mold costs. D) Water jet cutters. This cutter will be used to make some of the luggage racks for some of the vehicles cutting out in minutes what used to take a day. This cutter is also planned to be used for the construction of a new, all aluminum, from flat plate fabricated light motorbike to form a completely new product line.
ZEV LAUNCHES THE 4,000 WATT, DUAL MOTOR HD BICYCLE. April 2014.
What started as a 750 to 1000 watt bicycle motor back in 2012 has evolved into a 4000 watt, dual stator motor for bicycle running dual controllers. This monster now powers the ZEV 4000 watt bicycle in the Cargo, Sporter, and Standard versions.
ZEV 30 KW MOTOR READY.
October 2014
The ZEV 30 kw, twin stator motor first of production unit is being now built to install on the LRC chassis. Testing was limited to 30 kw as the battery in the vehicle chassis now in production cannot support more than that. The power in the LRC will be set at 20 kw continuous, 30 kw peak.
