Nikola Semi-Tractor(s) Ride and Drive By Thom Cannell - Plus Context Capsule From Art Intelli
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By Thom Cannell
Senior Technical and Big Rig Editor
Michigan Bureau
The Auto Channel
Given a chance to drive a semi-tractor, you’d take it, right? I surely did and therefore was gazing up a ladder to a driver’s seat well above my height. Climbing, adjusting the air suspension seat, adjusting the steering wheel and truck-specific button pushes later I was again driving a tractor, but this TRE BEV was powered by lithium-ion batteries.
Nikola, the periodically-beleaguered truck company, is delivering new energy trucks to customers. Not one or two, but eventually by the hundreds thanks to agreements with ALTA, a multi-region commercial truck dealer with deep experience in trucks, fork lifts, hydrogen and batteries.
What’s rolling off Nikola’s factory line in Coolidge, Arizona, while primarily battery-electric trucks designed for under 300-mile daily travel, now includes fuel cell trucks, those “available in twenty years,” hydrogen powered, water vapor-only -emission vehicles which are the future of trucking.
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We had opportunity to meet with ALTA and Nikola near Detroit, MI and drive both the TRE BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) and fuel cell-powered TRE FCEV Class 8 trucks. They are real, with USA-sourced frames, IVECO cabs and proprietary engineering that includes hydrogen generation, storage and delivery. TRE BEV trucks have a maximum 330-mile range when equipped with a nine pack, 733 kWh battery. Dual e-motors deliver 645 HP and can effortlessly carry a gross combined weight of 82,000 pounds. For any BEV truck, whether Tesla, Toyota or other manufacturer, the weight of its batteries does mean approximately 28-percent less load capacity.
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As I once drove tractor-trailers, I noticed first the multi-step entry and relaxed driving position. Facing the driver are a Nikola designed cabin with large driver information display and secondary offset information screen. Controls are more user-friendly than the Class 8 trucks I’m familiar with, as a BEV just wants to have an accelerator and brake. Of course, there are additional controls, mainly for safety systems like brake systems and power engagement. What drivers will immediately notice, and love, are the comparative silence and freedom from vibration which assaults senses from either gasoline or diesel engines. There are no hydrocarbons to breathe, and the low center of gravity makes driving this truck an exceptional experience. Fleets care about time on task, and TRE BEV accepts charging at 350 kW which delivers an optimum 80 percent charge in 90 minutes.
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Nikola recently suffered a recall involving all BEV trucks produced, some 209 vehicles in the marketplace. A battery fire at its manufacturing plant was traced to a coolant leak in battery packs, a supplier defect which the company says is being addressed, bringing the trucks back to their Coolidge facility for repair. Of the 3,100 battery packs produced to date, 4 (four) or less than 0.1% of total packs experienced what the BEV industry thermal events according to the company.
The second truck driven was somewhat quieter than that BEV, the TRE FCEV. Nikola says its quietness is a byproduct of greater sound insulation; fuel cells are noisy. This truck provides both greater range, up to 500 miles at a maximum speed of 70 mph, and a hydrogen refill time of 20 minutes — less time than filling many diesel trucks.
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TRE FCEV has a different center of gravity, a bit more familiar “truckish” feel than the BEV. Unlike Toyota, which currently mounts its Mirai-derived twin fuel cells in the space normally occupied by a diesel engine, Nikola mounts its fuel cell and traction battery below the driver’s feet. Hydrogen storage, three backpack tanks and two saddle tanks, are filled with hydrogen at immense pressure, 700 bar, over 10,000 psi, which is similar to the Toyota’s FCV trucks now in testing around California’s ports.
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The TRE FCEV, now in production, uses a Bosch fuel cell and offers trucking companies an 82,000-pound GCWR (combined weight of truck and cargo trailer). The fuel cell delivers 200 kW of power, balanced by a battery with 164 kW capacity. Why a fuel cell and a battery? Hills, regenerative braking and rapid acceleration. A fuel cell, by itself, doesn’t deliver appropriate power under demanding transient conditions, so energy accumulates in the battery for mountains, passing and on-ramps.
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Nikola develops software in-house, which the company says gives it more control over battery management, reduces development times, enables over the air updates (OTA) and speeds response to customer needs. Obviously, hydrogen and a hydrogen refueling infrastructure is necessary, just as gasoline and diesel fuel are now. Today, the greatest concentration of hydrogen fuel stations is in California, particularly near ports like Long Beach.
To accommodate hydrogen infrastructure, Nikola has created a special energy division called HYLA (HYdrogen + NikoLA) to assist buyers to find hydrogen outside of the already existing southern California fueling stations. They’ve recently inked a deal with infrastructure expert Voltera for more than 60 stations, mainly in California, with many more coming, but HYLA is also offering a bridging technology utilizing mobile fuelers. Yes, mobile fuelers sound exactly like what they are – mobile tanks and stations that can be placed just about anywhere, permitting approved, that is.
These HYLA hydrogen mobile fuelers can fill anywhere from 5 to 50 trucks, or even more, depending on the storage tank size and pressure stored. Where there’s a need for hydrogen, these can be dropped, and then moved once a station is built. That’s a great way to create that nationwide network.
Hydrogen is the future of decarbonized transport on longer routes and for heavier loads. Hydrogen generation can provide interesting benefits like clean industrial oxygen, heat, and hydrogen generation and storage may serve to balance loads from solar and wind energy. There is a strong use case for hydrogen presently in Europe, and the same use case is emerging in North America as well. It will take five years to establish the estimated 850 hydrogen filling stations needed for heavy duty trucks, but once built our air will be cleaner and less carbon will be added to the atmosphere.
Plus Nikola Context Capsule By Art Intelli div class="sc-e796aa8b-1 ipkAIZ">
Nikola Corporation is a company that focuses on zero-emission transportation and energy supply solutions. They are known for developing and manufacturing electric and hydrogen fuel cell-powered trucks. Here are some key points about Nikola trucks:
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Nikola Tre: The Nikola Tre is a Class 8 electric truck that was unveiled in 2019. It is built on the Iveco S-WAY truck architecture and is designed for long-haul transportation 1. The Tre is powered by a battery-electric drivetrain and offers zero-emission operation.
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Nikola Two: The Nikola Two is another Class 8 electric truck developed by Nikola. It is designed for regional and local distribution applications. Like the Tre, the Two is powered by a battery-electric drivetrain.
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Nikola Badger: The Nikola Badger was a pickup truck that was initially announced in early 2020. It was planned to be available with both battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell powertrains. However, the Badger project was canceled after the company faced allegations of fraud and the departure of its founder, Trevor Milton.
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Partnerships: Nikola has entered into partnerships with various companies to support its truck production and infrastructure development. For example, they had a partnership with Republic Services to develop zero-emission garbage trucks, but it was terminated in December 2020. They have also partnered with J.B. Hunt Transport Services to purchase zero-emission Class 8 trucks.
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Recalls and Incidents: Nikola has faced some challenges 2, including recalls of its battery-electric trucks due to fire incidents. They have taken steps to address these issues and ensure the safety of their vehicles.
It's important to note that the information provided is based on the search results and may not include the most up-to-date information. For the latest and most accurate information about Nikola trucks, it is recommended to visit the official Nikola Corporation website or refer to reliable sources.
