Zeron, a domestic electric heavy-duty truck startup, recently announced the completion of a Series A financing round worth RMB 500 million ($70 million), with Momenta being one of the three lead investors. This move marks Momenta’s first foray into the truck sector, further solidifying its position in the smart driving industry chain.
Founded in April 2022 by Huang Zhehua, former co-founder of autonomous truck company TuSimple, and Zhang Hongsong, former general manager of Sany Truck, Zeron has made significant strides in the electric heavy-duty truck market. The company’s two electric heavy-duty trucks, Jingzhe and Xiaoman, have already delivered nearly 700 units, accumulating over 25 million kilometers in total operating mileage.
With a team of more than 200 experts specializing in intelligent electric heavy-duty truck technologies, Zeron is focused on areas such as powertrain R&D, thermal management, electronic and electrical architecture, connectivity, and intelligence. The vehicles boast a power output of up to 860 horsepower, surpassing the capabilities of most traditional fuel-powered heavy-duty trucks.
Zeron is also actively developing end-to-end and multi-modal large model autonomous driving technology. Last year, the company introduced its ZSD autonomous driving technology and is now working towards enhancing its autonomous driving capabilities.
In response to the growing demand for electric heavy-duty trucks in China, Zeron aims to deliver 1,500 heavy-duty trucks by the end of this year. The industry is experiencing rapid electrification, with companies like battery giant CATL launching standardized battery swap packs for heavy-duty trucks to capitalize on the sector’s development.
According to CATL chairman and CEO Robin Zeng, the heavy-duty truck industry is expected to experience explosive growth over the next three years, with electrification rates potentially reaching 50 percent. Currently, 89 percent of new energy heavy trucks in China are pure electric models, with half of them supporting battery swap technology.
In conclusion, Zeron’s successful Series A financing round and strategic partnership with Momenta underscore the company’s commitment to revolutionizing the electric heavy-duty truck market in China. With a focus on advanced technologies and autonomous driving solutions, Zeron is poised to lead the industry towards a more sustainable and efficient future.
