TREVOR Milton, the entrepreneur behind the Nikola One, took the wraps off a prototype model of the hydrogen fuel cell/electric drive longhaul tractor during a flashy event December 1-2 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He also showed concept drawings for the Nikola Two, a daycab tractor designed for regional operations.
Developed by Nikola Motor Company, the Class 8 tractor achieves zero emissions with its innovative hydrogen fuel cell that charges the lithium ion batteries that are part of the electric-powered drivetrain. Nikola One will have a range of more than 1,200 miles between hydrogen fill-ups.
Wired suggested in a recent report that Nikola Motor might actually make hydrogen power happen: “Nikola aims to entice individual truckers and fleets into going with hydrogen by making sure they’ve got somewhere to fill up, for free.”
New Atlas says Nikola Motor has made some strong statements about the capabilities of Nikola One. In addition to a claimed range from the hydrogen fuel cell of between 800 and 1,200 miles (1,287 and 1,931 km), the six wheel-mounted electric motors punch out a combined 1,000 hp (745 kW) and 2,000 lb ft (1,475 Nm) of torque. Hydrogen consumption is expected to be around 20 mpg (11.7 l/100 km).
Plenty of video came out of the unveiling, including this one.