February 20, 2019 Vol. 16 No. 4

Among the most interesting news of the last couple of weeks comes from Nikola Motors. While it has no apparent intention of dropping its hydrogen fuel-cell power source, the company said in a recent tweet that it intends to build plug-in battery electric versions of its Nikola Two and Nikola Tre (aimed at the European market) for short-haul work. Big surprise.

As noted by my buddy Jack Roberts at HDT magazine, the company’s original promise three years ago was to make an all-electric, long-haul, tractor. That didn’t last long as it switched to the fuel-cell electric drive system idea, and it’s stuck with that ever since. It promised 1000 miles of range between refueling stops. But the all-electric idea is back.

In a surprise tweet, offering almost no details, Nikola announced that at its Nikola World technology showcase in April it will unveil two short-haul, battery-electric trucks.

Nikola said the all-electric truck is designed for inner city delivery routes and weight-sensitive applications. However, the company stressed that it’s not phasing out hydrogen drivetrains. Indeed, Nikola said it is expecting to see 50 times the number of orders for hydrogen drivetrains over electric ones – but noted that in some applications, battery-electric trucks “work great.” The U.S.-spec fuel-cell trucks are still expected to begin production in 2022 or 2023.

Details are sketchy but Nikola did give away some additional information on the news in a series of additional tweets. Both trucks will be offered in 500kWh, 750kWh, and 1mWh versions.

Nikola World will take over the WestWorld complex in Scottsdale, Arizona for two days on April 16-17. Nikola customers, investors, suppliers, and media are invited to participate in the private unveiling event on April 16, with vehicle and technology demonstrations to follow on April 17.

The general public is invited to participate on April 17 from 1-6 p.m. For those unable to attend, the unveiling event on April 16 will be live streamed on the company’s website.

TRUCK DEMAND IS STILL HIGH, despite somewhat slow sales at the end of last year. Daimler Trucks North America, for example, says its build slots are pretty much full.

“We’re effectively sold out for 2019,” says Richard Howard, senior vice-president – sales and marketing, referring to current orders on the books.

The company found itself in the same position early in 2018, a year in which it sold a record 175,950 units.