The Zeem Story

Zeem was founded in 2017 to offer affordable EVs to commercial fleets, enabling them to efficiently meet sustainability goals and governmental mandates. Because the transition from diesel to electric is frequently costly and complex, Zeem aimed to reduce the challenges of owning EVs and charging networks.

Led by industry veterans with extensive EV and charging experience, the company began conversations with fleet owners about their challenges and impediments in going all-electric. At the same time, Zeem technical leaders began working with OEMs to research and test every available EV-charger combination. After thousands of first-hand technology assessments and more than 1 million conversations with fleet owners and managers, Zeem opened its first EV charging depot near LAX in 2021. There are plans to scale the model nationwide, including three more hub openings this year.

A company timeline

2017
2017
Zeem founded in New York state

With $10 million in seed financing, Zeem is formed as a call center by EV industry veterans looking to gauge the best way to help commercial fleets meet looming zero-emission mandates.

2019
2019
Relocates to Los Angeles, acquires first EVs

After two years gauging needs and opportunities in the commercial EV space by talking with fleets across the country, Zeem moves its headquarters to Los Angeles. With a business model built around providing commercial vehicle leases and charging solutions, it officially begins operations by purchasing two Class 6 commercial electric vehicles.

January 2021
January 2021
First EV lease customers

Executes EV lease agreements with fleet customers in New York and Los Angeles.

February 2021
February 2021
Closes $5 million financing

Closes run-rate investment with current investors to acquire additional EVs and pursue a lease agreement for a permanent charging facility

April 2021
April 2021
Takes delivery of 30 EV shuttles

Zero-emission passenger vehicles from GreenPower purchased to fulfill lease agreements with LAX transportation providers

June/July 2021
June/July 2021
Obtains property for first depot

Signs lease for adjacent parcels on Aviation & Isis avenues near LAX, with plans to open them by year-end as a single charging hub for leased customer EVs, office space for staff

Fall 2021
Fall 2021
Secures additional EVs & funding

Secures $11 million award from Ørsted for Class 8 EV applications in NY & NJ; takes delivery of 24 more GreenPower shuttles

December 2021
December 2021
Opens first depot

Following award of $1 million in incentive funding, Zeem opens its Aviation & Isis locations as a combined 3.1-acre facility that immediately begins hosting client EVs & charging services

July 2022
July 2022
$50 million Series B financing

Led by Arclight Partners, round supports development of LAX depot, hiring & national expansion plans

February 2023
February 2023
Opens corporate headquarters in El Segundo, California

Executive offices located near our LAX depot

March 2023
March 2023
Launches partnership with Hertz

Zeem provides fast-charging and depot services to the rental car company’s entire LAX-based EV fleet

April 2023
April 2023
Completes LAX Depot enhancements

Installs 14 additional dual-port DC fast chargers, energizes 18 more Level 2 charge ports, and completes new building at our Aviation property with office space and maintenance shop

May 2023
May 2023
Reaches 15,000 qualified fleets

Result of seven years of outreach and documentation on industry-leading sales platform.

June 2023
June 2023
Dispenses more than 448k kilowatt hours of power to clients in first half of year

Greenhouse gas reduction of 326 megatons of CO2 in 2023 alone – equivalent to annual output from 37.8 homes or 21,853 gallons of gasoline

April 2024
April 2024
LAX Depot fully energized

Full buildout of the flagship depot can now handle 550 third-party EVs and 170 electric medium and heavy duty vehicles overnight