Nikola Motor reveals hydrogen fuel cell truck for European markets

Nikola Motor Company, the US-based electric vehicle company, has revealed its latest zero-emission commercial truck called Tre for the European markets. The company is working with Nel Hydrogen for setting up hydrogen stations in the USA and has opened the bookings for this new model, which is to go on sales next April, through its website.

The Nikola Tre has 500 to 1,000hp, 6x4 or 6x2 configurations and a claimed range of 500 to 1,200 kilometres depending on options. The Tre will fit within the current size and length restrictions for Europe. European testing is projected to begin in Norway around 2020. Nikola is also in the preliminary planning stages to identify the proper location for its European manufacturing facility.

Trevor Milton, founder and CEO of Nikola Motor Company, said, “It will be the first European zero-emission commercial truck to be delivered with redundant braking, redundant steering, redundant 800Vdc batteries and a redundant 120 kW hydrogen fuel cell, all necessary for true Level 5 autonomy. Expect our production to begin around the same time as our USA version in 2022-2023.”

Nikola is currently working with Nel Hydrogen of Oslo to provide hydrogen stations for USA. “Nel has been good to work with for our USA station design and rollout. We will work with Nel to secure resources for our European growth strategy. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but with the right partners, we can accomplish it,” said Kim Brady, Nikola Motor Company CFO.

By 2028, Nikola is planning on having more than 700 hydrogen stations across the USA and Canada. Each station capable of 2,000 to 8,000 kgs of daily hydrogen production. Nikola’s European stations are planned to come online around 2022 and are projected to cover most of the European market by 2030.

At the April 16-17, 2019 Nikola World in Phoenix, visitors will witness the Nikola Two in action, pulling loaded trailers along with a prototype display of the Nikola Tre. Hydrogen filling will also be shown at the event at 700 bar or 10,000 psi.

To date, the company claims to have approximately 11 billion dollars in pre-order reservations.