Arizona-based zero-emission vehicle manufacturer Nikola Corporation has delivered the first of its Nikola Tre battery-electric vehicle (BEV) pilot trucks to one of Southern California’s leading trucking companies.
The delivery of the first Nikola Tre truck has been made to Total Transportation Services, which is going to trial two battery and two fuel cell trucks, which could then be followed by an order for 30 battery and 70 FCEVs in 2023.
The battery version is designed for deliveries of up to 560-kilometres, with a 753kWh battery pack with max output of 645-horsepower. The fuel cell version has a range of up to 800-kilometres with max output of 646-horsepower.
“Nikola committed to make its first Tre BEV deliveries in Q4 2021 and it is a big honour to celebrate this milestone with our partner, TTSI, and dignitaries who are committed to advancing zero-emission transportation solutions to reduce truck emissions in port operations,” said Mark Russel, Nikola CEO.
“TTSI has significant sustainability goals, and we are pleased to help them achieve their vision with our zero-emission trucks.”
According to TTSI, in any given month between 13,000 and 14,000 trucks call at the port of Los Angeles/Long Beach, cumulatively emitting roughly 2,600 tonnes per year of smog-causing nitrogen oxide emissions.
By beginning to convert even a portion of this fleet to zero-emission trucks highlights the significant opportunity in California to reduce emissions by transitioning to a state-wide sustainable transportation model.
And, as the United States’ largest economy and the world’s fifth-largest economy, converting California’s transportation industry to zero emissions serves as a potential sea change for the global transportation industry.
Nikola’s ambitions of leading the North American transition to sustainable transportation was boosted in October when the company secured a deal with Tumim Stone Capital to sell $US300 million worth of its stock, the second such deal between the two, taking the total up to $US600 million.
That followed a troubled 2020, when a non-functioning fuel-cell truck resulted in the stepping down of then CEO Trevor Milton, the cancellation of its hydrogen-powered Badger ute, and a damaged relationship with General Motors.