As emission regulations tighten, the long duty cycles of non-road mobile machinery (NRMM) come under increased scrutiny. According to independent studies, NRMM produces a disproportionately high amount of emissions for the energy they consume—driving a push towards electrified solutions.
In the recent ZAPI GROUP webinar, “Mid-Power Charging Solution Options for Non-Road Mobile Machinery”, electrification experts Mourad Chergui and Marco Sabatini outlined a clear roadmap for OEMs to transition to more efficient and sustainable operations.
At the core of this transition are advanced charging solutions—key drivers of the electric evolution that improve machine safety, reliability, and cost efficiency.
With the industry’s broadest range of battery chargers and unmatched expertise in implementation, ZAPI GROUP empowers OEMs to lead the charge in electrification, positioning them at the competitive forefront of their respective fields.
Overview of ZAPI GROUP Chargers
ZAPI GROUP’s comprehensive charging solutions, developed under the Delta-Q Technologies and ZIVAN product brands, range from 350 W to 36 kW of power, expanding electrification options across diverse vehicle architectures.
These offerings fall under two categories:
- On-board chargers – As a ZAPI GROUP specialty, seamlessly integrating on-board solutions into the electric drivetrain unlocks enhanced efficiencies across the entire machine, lowering total cost of ownership (TCO), extending battery life, and reducing vehicle downtime.
- Off-board “portable” chargers – A unique hybrid solution that combines the power capacity of traditional off-board systems with the durable, mobile design typically associated with on-board chargers. Portable chargers address a critical market gap with flexible, reliable power delivery even in the most demanding operational environments.
While not offering stationary chargers as a standalone product, ZAPI GROUP’s deep expertise in this field lends itself to an advisory role in design and implementation. These services prove especially beneficial for applications such as material handling, where electrification necessitates dedicated charging rooms optimized to machine duty cycles.
Why ZAPI GROUP Charging Solutions? 4 OEM Benefits
The core of ZAPI GROUP’s offerings lies in system-wide integration and optimization. Comprehensive charging technology serves as the foundation, delivering significant advantages to industrial OEMs. Consider four benefits in particular.
Benefit #1 - Compact, Durable Designs
Industrial machinery must constantly balance weight and space constraints, compounded by the demanding environments and compact nature of NRMM applications.
To address this, ZAPI GROUP chargers, whether on-board or off-board, are designed with a compact footprint and ruggedized protection against the dangers of industrial worksites. This unique product portfolio delivers advantages such as:
- Compact integration – On-board chargers seamlessly fit within existing systems, delivering maximum value with a minimal footprint. Modular designs further expand OEM options, allowing for better weight dispersion or improving charge times without visibly altering existing designs.
- Space-saving alternatives – Portable chargers save space in two ways. First, these solutions eliminate the need for costly charging rooms, saving valuable floor space and reducing the need for dedicated infrastructure. Secondly, they free up space on the machinery itself by providing mobile, off-board charging—a compelling option for fleet owners who do not want to outfit on-board chargers into every machine.
- Rugged reliability – Tested to withstand automotive-grade shock, drop, and vibration, ZAPI GROUP chargers—both on-board and off-board—are IP-rated to protect against dust, liquids, extreme temperatures, and other industrial hazards.
These features ensure reliable performance under the tough conditions typical of NRMM applications, enabling long operational cycles amidst even the most challenging environments.
Benefit #2 - Reliable and Globally Compliant
Tier 1 OEMs require charging equipment that meets both operational demands and stringent cross-region regulations.
That is why ZAPI GROUP chargers comply with international standards “out of the box”, eliminating the need for extensive modifications. With a rich history in global electrification, ZAPI GROUP ensures adherence to safety, quality, and regulatory requirements in:
- North America
- Europe
- Australia
- New Zealand
Compliance with the UN’s UNECE R10 and R100 standards further guarantees safety and regulatory alignment, accelerating OEM time-to-market across diverse deployment regions.
Benefit #3 - Charge Communication and Data Capture
For OEMs and fleet managers, the absence of operational insights hinders efficiency, scalability, and data-driven system improvements. Without data, it’s impossible to know how to improve and iterate future designs.
Perhaps surprisingly, addressing these challenges starts with the charger. Solutions capable of logging charging cycles, duty cycles, and other key parameters allow for optimization tweaks to boost productivity and minimize machine downtime.
For example, ZAPI GROUP’s charging solutions can:
- Equip charging rooms to monitor energy consumption and grid availability, preventing overload during peak hours
- Leverage vehicle and telematics data to analyze performance and predict future maintenance needs
- Enable remote charge control and communication through CANopen and J1939 protocols, facilitating seamless integration with battery management systems (BMS)
Incorporating these capabilities empowers OEM customers with the data necessary to adopt a proactive (rather than reactive) approach to product development and maintenance.
Benefit #4 - Compatibility and Integration
OEM designs span a range of battery chemistries, specialized solutions, and uncommon applications. While it is a common assumption that chargers act as all-purpose “plug-and-play” components, genuine optimization comes from matching charging systems to the specific needs and architecture of the OEM application.
This is ZAPI GROUP’s specialty.
In collaboration with leading battery manufacturers and global component suppliers, ZAPI GROUP leverages decades of industrial electrification expertise to develop charging systems perfectly suited to stringent OEM requirements, with proven application in sectors such as:
- Mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs)
- Agriculture
- Construction
- Material handling
- Mobile robotics
- Outdoor power equipment
ZAPI GROUP: Charging the Next Generation of OEM Machinery
OEMs face many challenges when electrifying, but they need not navigate these complexities alone. With a 50-year legacy in electrification and a global network of trusted partners, ZAPI GROUP provides a clear and proven path for OEMs to follow.
ZAPI GROUP’s greatest strength lies in a philosophy of open collaboration—with battery manufacturers, component suppliers, and OEM customers—to craft charging solutions tailored to specific industries and applications.
This approach guides OEMs to the most profound benefit: electrified machinery that not only meets, but exceeds industry standards.
To explore how ZAPI GROUP’s expertise can support your electrification journey, watch the full webinar, or connect with one of our experts to discuss your charging needs and goals.