In this paper, we proposed a selection and application recommendations of ZnO arresters for DC electric traction vehicles. To decide the Continuous Operating Voltage($U_C$), the Rated Voltage($U_r$), and the Nominal Discharge Current(In), we measured and analyzed system voltages and surge currents flowing the arrester installed on a DC electric traction vehicle under running state. System voltages measured up to 1,800 V in 1,500 V-system, and surge currents were recorded up to 3 times per a running-service-route and their magnitudes were ranges of $150A{sim}2kA$. From these results and a standard EN50163, we could proposed $U_C$, $U_r$, and In available for the 1,500 VDC electric traction vehicles.