Iveco opens Nikola line in Germany
The facility that will build Nikola Tre electric and fuel cell trucks has been opened by CNH subsidiary Iveco at its factory in Ulm, Germany, with production set to start by the year end. The first battery-electric (BEV) trucks built will be delivered to customers in the United States early next year, with fuel-cell versions due off the line by the end of 2023.
Gertix Marx, president of commercial & specialty vehicles at CNH Industrial and designated CEO of the Iveco Group, said: “Despite all the industry and global pandemic challenges we have been facing since we first announced this partnership in September 2019, it is extremely rewarding to be able to stand here today as a team and witness the execution of all of our hard work delivered on time and according to our original plans.
“Thanks to Iveco’s proven expertise and established footprint we have provided a platform upon which Nikola’s technology can thrive. Now our focus is on ensuring the success of this operation and jointly taking the lead when it comes to climate-neutral long- and short-haul heavy-duty transport.”
Spanning 50,000 square meters, of which 25,000 are covered, the Ulm manufacturing facility features a final assembly process that has been designed for “electric-born” vehicles. This development is a joint investment by Iveco and Nikola and involves a projected 160 suppliers in the process from start to finish.
The production line is designed to be capable of manufacturing approximately 1,000 units per shift per year and is expected to undergo progressive ramp-up in the following years.
The Nikola Tre is based on the Iveco S-Way truck platform, but with an electric axle co-designed and produced by FPT Industrial, it features Nikola’s advanced electric and fuel cell technology, along with key components provided by Bosch. Together, the teams have designed a modular platform capable of fuel cell as well as battery propulsion. Launching the battery technology first will establish the reliability of the underlying platform before adding the fuel cell as a range-extension technology (Transport Operator 87).
The alliance with Iveco provides the company not just with a route to market in Europe, but also a manufacturing base and a ready-made chassis-cab as a basis to work from.
Iveco and Nikola have also signed an agreement with the port of Hamburg to supply up to 25 vehicles to the port authority next year.
The first phase involves testing of the Nikola Tre BEVs and high-performance chargers at the port in transport and logistics operations. A more definitive second phase in the project partnership plans to see the full integration of the BEV vehicles in port operations, installation of charging infrastructure and on-site service support.
The vehicles will be the US Class 8 (80,000 lb GCW) version of the Nikola Tre with special permissions for in-port operation.
