At an event staged in Salt Lake City, the Nikola Motor Company has unveiled its Nikola One electric powered tractor trailer truck.
While the Nikola One has been teased in the past, members of the media and long-haul industry leaders have had to envision the truck by way of company renders and fact laden press releases.
Well, things have changed.
“We are extremely excited to finally show off the Nikola One to the public for the first time,” said Nikola CEO, Trevor Milton. “There are many out there that wondered if we would deliver, but today we proudly show off the most advanced semi-truck ever built. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have one of the best brands in America, Ryder, as our trusted partner providing nationwide sales, service and warranty for Nikola Motor Company.”
In addition to the debut of the Nikola One cab itself, Nikola Motors also outlined its vehicle leasing program, stating that all new Nikola trucks will come with unlimited hydrogen fuel and a 72-month warranty and maintenance program.
How the company will distribute unlimited hydrogen fuel is anyone’s guess, given that there aren’t too many hydrogen stations dotting the North American landscape. However, if the Nikola Motor Company is one thing, it’s certainly ambitious.
The Nikola One will have an 800 – 1000mile range and deliver 1000HP. The electric semi will also be able to churn up 2,000 ft/lbs of torque, almost twice as much as other trailers on the road, all the while cruising along at an in-class best fuel efficiency for a model class-8 truck.
The company claims that as of the trailers debut, three billion US dollars in Nikola One orders have be placed. That should be more than enough to get the startup out the door and into the business of building a robust hydrogen fueling infrastructure.
Sometime in 2017, the Nikola Motor Company will determine where its trailer manufacturing plant will be located. In 2018 hydrogen fueling station construction will begin.
For more information, visit the Nikola Motor Company website.