Tre cabover aimed at Europe but Asia and local plans are unformed so far
Alternative propulsion truckmaker Nikola Motor Company confirms Australia is on its growth map – at some stage.
With the US company making a European pitch for its Nikola Tre hydrogen-electric cabover prime mover, it notes the Tre “will be available in Europe, Asia, and Australia, Nikola and Nel ASA will create the largest hydrogen network in the world”.
Timing is the issue and this is yet to be determined for Australia, though this decade and early next seems unlikely.
“The Tre will be compatible with Australian regulations, so our goal is to also bring it Down Under at some point in the future,” a company spokesperson tells ATN.
“We don’t have a timetable for Asia and Australia yet.”
The Tre, it means “three” in Norwegian, is due to be officially unveiled at its Phoenix, where the company in headquartered, in April.
But this week founder and CEO Trevor Milton made his firm’s European ambitions plain.
“This truck is a real stunner and long overdue for Europe,” Milton says.
“It will be the first European zero-emission commercial truck to be delivered with redundant braking, redundant steering, redundant 800Vdc batteries and a redundant 120kW 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.”
Read about Nikola’s plans for a next year’s grand unveiling in Phoenix, here
The Nikola Tre has 500-1,000hp (373-746kW), 6×4 or 6×2 configurations and a range of 500-1,200km depending on options.
It is to fit within the current size and length restrictions for Europe, where cabover is the dominant style.
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, it says.
The company aims to have financing options in place, once it goes to market.
“Nikola’s Complete Leasing and Purchasing Program includes hydrogen fuel, warranty and scheduled maintenance,” it says.
It adds that the package “will allow owner-operators and fleets to get into a new Nikola truck and know their total cost of ownership every single month, regardless of fluctuating fuel costs and miles driven.
“On approved credit, the Nikola Complete Leasing and Purchasing Program will offer hydrogen fuel, warranty and scheduled maintenance.
“Owners will be able to trade-in for a new Nikola truck every 84 months.”