(Phoenix / USA) – The US truck manufacturer Nikola Corporation is celebrating the start of production of the “Nikola Tre” fuel cell truck, which has been announced for several years, at its factory in Coolidge near Phoenix (Arizona). The Class 8 model (from 15 tons) is initially only being introduced on the American market and has a range of up to 500 miles. The refueling time is 20 minutes.
According to Nikola President and CEO Steve Girsky, deliveries of the first vehicles will begin in the fourth quarter. There are already 223 non-binding orders from 23 customers, including fleet operators such as JB Hunt, AJR Trucking (50 pieces), Biagi Bros. and TTSI. Also the hydrogen infrastructure company BayoTech, Inc. is interested in 50 vehicles. In return, Nikola wants to purchase both hydrogen and ten “BayoTech HyFill” tank trailers there. These are intended to transport the gaseous energy source to truck filling stations in Missouri and California.
Once the second phase of the factory expansion is completed, 2.400 trucks could roll off the production line in Coolidge in three shifts each year. A few months ago, however, the company announced that the production of battery-electric trucks (BEVs) there should be “temporarily” interrupted due to sluggish demand and that the assembly line would be modified so that both BEVs and FCEVs could be manufactured.
Nikola needs success
Nikola has to show success after a loss-making first quarter. Sales had increased by a good nine million dollars compared to the same quarter of the previous year. At the same time, however, the net loss grew to around 169 million dollars (155 million euros) compared to almost 153 million in Q1 2022. In the second quarter, sales fell, while losses continued to rise compared to the same quarter of the previous year from 2 million to 172 million dollars.
In May, the then managing director and ex-Opel boss Michael Lohscheller explains that they want to “streamline business activities” and in the future “focus on the areas where we have competitive and first-mover advantages”. The 50 percent share in a European joint venture with Iveco Group NV will be sold. The two companies founded the joint venture in 2019 to produce the “Tre FCEV” for the European market at the Iveco factory in Ulm. Lohscheller resigned from his top position in August and went back to Europe for “family reasons”.
On the way to Canada
North America is particularly lucrative for Nikola due to government funding. The company therefore wants to concentrate on the USA and Canada with fuel cell trucks and other vehicles.
Nikola expands its service network in North America and enters into an agreement with Canada's ITD Industries Inc for truck sales. © Nikola Corp.
In September, ITD Industries Inc. announced the expansion of its dealer network in Canada to sell and service Class 8 trucks. The trucking equipment and trailer manufacturer will integrate a showroom into its Toronto factory location.
Nikola expects significant growth in Canada as organizations and companies could receive grants through the IMHZEV (Incentives for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicles) funding program, for example 200.000 Canadian dollars to purchase or lease the Nikola hydrogen vehicle. Fuel cell electric forklift. ITD is also expected to promote Nikola's zero-emission trucks through its national sales channels.
Photos
Nikola celebrates the start of production and the market launch of the fuel cell truck “Nikola Tre”. © Nikola Corp.
