Zeronox and the Jospong Group are partnering to complete the world’s largest fleet retrofit electrification project. They are transforming 1,000 internal combustion engine (ICE) refuse trucks in Ghana into zero-emission vehicles using the Zeronox Electric Powertrain Platform (ZEPP). The transformation is expected to deliver ~$20 million in annual maintenance savings and ~$40 million in annual fuel  savings as well as massive carbon reductions of over 400,000 metric tons of CO₂ abated over five years. The payback period for retrofitting the trucks is expected to be under three years. With an initial pilot phase complete, the project is now entering mass deployment. 

This groundbreaking initiative highlights the viability of electrification in emerging markets and sets a model for scalable, sustainable fleet transformation in Africa and beyond. By the numbers, this deployment includes:

• 1,000 Class 8 swing arm skip trucks, single axle compactor trucks, dual axle compactor trucks
• 100 – 240 km daily routes
• 2.5 – 5 hours of daily charging on 120 kW dual-gun DC EVSE

In 2025, the project will hit two important milestones: 5,000+ km logged driving and the commencement of mass production. Additionally, 600 mechanics will be upskilled to EV technicians to serve these new advanced vehicles. 

Location is playing a critical role in the success of this project. As a signatory to the  Global Memorandum of Understanding on Zero-Emission Medium-and Heavy-Duty Vehicles (Global MOU), Ghana backs 100% new zero-emission truck sales by 2040 and at least 30% new zero-emission truck and bus sales by 2030. Currently there are 40 national signatories and more than 250 subnational government and private sector innovators in the Global MOU community. 

Ghana is also implementing a broader energy transition plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060 with a strong focus on decarbonizing the transportation sector. In support of this goal, the country is working toward adopting 1,500 electric buses by 2030. In addition, some Ghanaian cities—like Kumasi—are developing net-zero transport plans.

A growing number of governments and businesses around the world now recognize the “quadruple A” proposition of zero-emission trucks and buses: They are Advanced, Affordable, Available and Adopted:

• Advanced: ZE-MDHVs on the market are state-of-the-art. They are designed to reduce pollution, fuel costs, and vulnerability to global shocks such as extreme weather events, energy price spikes, and major power outages. They are operationally superior to diesel trucks and buses offering a smoother and quieter ride as well as advanced safety features, and lower fuel and maintenance costs.   
• Affordable: By 2030-2035, the vast majority of ZE-MHDVs will be cheaper to own and operate than traditional MDHV models. 
• Available: Today, there are nearly 960 ZE-MHDV models on the market globally, a nearly 50% increase from 2021 when 570 models were available (958 models are now available globally). To see how countries around the world are growing their zero-emission model availability, explore Drive to Zero’s Zero-Emission Technology Inventory (ZETI) Data Explorer.
• Adopted: In 2024, more than 250,000 ZE-MHDVs were sold around the world, with China responsible for the lion’s share (230,000+) followed by the U.S. (22,000+ ZETs).

Charging Up Change features the stories of the people and companies that are changing global transportation for good. The series is brought to you by CALSTART’s Drive to Zero program. Drive to Zero, in partnership with the government of Colombia, co-leads an ambitious community of 40 countries and more than 250 private sector and subnational endorsers that support reaching 100% new zero-emission truck and bus sales by the year 2040. Companies and subnational governments looking to accelerate innovation, grow jobs as well as economic and energy security are invited to endorse the Global MOU today!

To learn more about the real people and companies who are “Charging Up Change” visit the drive to zero website.

Want to see this story “by the numbers?” Read the Charging Up Change case study here.