Nikola Motor Company announced that it will unveil
the Two and Tre trucks in all-electric and hydrogen configurators in mid-April
at the Nikola World 2019 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Engadget reports that the event
will see the hydrogen version of the Nikola Two in action while a prototype of
the Nikola Tre will be on stationary display.
Unlike most other trucking companies that are
exclusively developing electric semis as their only alternatively-powered
vehicles, Nikola distinguishes itself with a specific focus on hydrogen
powertrains. According to the company, hydrogen is best for long-haul drives,
while electric semi-trucks will prove better for “inner cities and non-weight
sensitive applications.” While both the Two and Tre will be sold in hydrogen
and electric forms, Nikola expects to see 50 times as many orders for the
hybrid hydrogen-electric models.
The eye-catching Nikola Tre was unveiled online back
in November 2018 and in its various configurations, power varies between 500 hp
and 1000 hp and a range between 500-1000 km. Nikola designed
the Tre specifically with Europe in mind, meaning it is slightly smaller than
the One and Two. Like the Two, it will be offered with an electric powertrain
and 500 kWh, 750 kWh, and 1 mWh battery packs.
The two new trucks will also feature advanced
semi-autonomous tech. Moreover, according to Nikola chief executive Trevor
Milton, the Tre may soon be offered with a Level 5, fully autonomous driving
system. Nikola intends on opening more than 700 hydrogen refueling stations
across the Uni United States and Canada by 2028.
