Nikola One Hydrogen-Electric
Following a change of plans earlier this year,
during which it was decided to use hydrogen power instead of a natural gas
range extender for propulsion, the Nikola One has been presented in the flesh.
Unveiled during an invite-only event, in front of
more than 600 members of the media, government representatives, industry
partners and customers, at the company's headquarters in Salt Lake City, the
semi-truck is said to cover between 800 and 1,200 miles (1,287-1,931 km), which
is less than the previous number announced of "over 1,200 miles".
The range is nevertheless impressive for a truck
that tips the scales at 18,000-21,000 lbs (8,165-9,525 kg), and so is the output -
1,000 HP and 2,712 Nm of torque, which allows it to accelerate
from 0 to 96 km/h in 30 seconds under load, or half the time needed
for a diesel-powered semi. Responsible for feeding the electric motors is a
320-kWh lithium-ion battery, which is incorporated into the frame rail.
Nikola Motor's ambitions might have dropped a bit
from the initial announcement, but they seem to stick to the plan that gives
customers unlimited miles and free hydrogen fuel, as part of a special leasing
program. This sees prospective buyers, paying a monthly lease between US$ 5,000
and US$ 7,000 (for 72 months) for the One, depending on the specified trim, which
allows them to trade it in at the end of the program, or 1,000,000 miles
(1,609,344 km), whichever comes first, without being charged.
However, before seeing the first examples of the
hydrogen-electric semi on the road, Nikola Motor still have to open a factory,
whose location is to be determined in the first half of 2017. Additionally, the
small company also plans to begin the construction of 364 hydrogen stations
from January 2018, in the US and Canada, which will be responsible for
providing the free fuel for the first 1,000,000 million miles for any of the
trucks in the 'Complete Leasing Program'.
Rounding up the list of announcements is a more
affordable version of the One, dubbed Nikola Two, which is in the works. The
special leasing offering is available for both models.
