Nikola One
Nikola Motor and Tesla Motors don’t have
anything in common, except for their names inspired by the famous physicist.
Yet the former might be on to something as well, with the recently unveiled
electric truck concept.
The Nikola One study offers a 1,931 km range and a combined output of more than 2,000 HP and over 5,017 Nm of torque, produced by six electric motors (one on each wheel)
and a natural gas range extender. Accelerating from 0 to 96 km/h,
under load, takes around 30 seconds, while a diesel-powered semi would need
double that time.
Power is sent to the 6x6 100 percent
electric drive and the study also benefits from a 320 kWh battery, regenerative
braking and fully independent suspension, claiming it can climb a six percent
grade at maximum weight at 105 km/. By comparison, a typical class 8
diesel truck, under similar conditions, "would have a hard time reaching 56 km/h", says the company.
In the cab, the Nikola One is equipped
with 15-inch touchscreen display, 10-inch instrument cluster display, 4G LTE
internet and Wi-Fi, panoramic windshield, sunroof, 306-degree view cameras,
42-inch television, microwave, two full size beds and a full-size fridge and freezer.
These features are powered by the 320 kWh battery pack and reportedly allow the
driver to stay in the cab for almost a week, without draining the batteries
enough to initiate turbine charge.
Operating costs on a heavy class
diesel-powered semi-truck are between 40 and 60 cents per mile, but Nikola
Motor states that their machine is estimate to drive at half that cost, meaning
20-30 cents per mile.
The manufacturer is working on a
prototype and has started taking reservations, for US$ 1500. The plan is to
create a lease program for truck drivers to pay US$ 5,000 a month, which will
include lease payment, unlimited fuel, unlimited miles, maintenance and
warranty. Owners will also be allowed to trade-in their One for a new one every
72 months or 1,609,344 km, with no additional cost. Prices
for the Nikola One will range from US$ 350,000 to US$ 415,000, depending on options.
