Demand for hydrogen trucks gives Nikola a boost
Increasing demand for hydrogen fuel cell technology appears to be paying off for electric truck manufacturer Nikola.
The American company, which builds electric tractor units based on Iveco S-Way chassis-cabs imported from Europe, has just reported a$31.3 million second-quarter revenue: more than double that of last year’s thanks to better than predicted demand for the fuel-cell version of the Tre.
Nikola also did better than expected in getting new trucks to customers: 72 units were delivered, when the company had previously predicted 60. Nikola CEO Steve Girsky remains confident that the company will deliver 350 trucks in 2024.
Tennessee-based haulier IMC now operates 50 fuel-cell Nikola Tre tractors, and has another 50 on order for port-
based operations in Los Angeles and Long Beach, with the haulage company’s Pacific Region president Jim Gillis telling Forbes Magazine that the Nikola Tre is regarded by his drivers as “The Bentley of trucks” thanks to its comfort and near silence.
The growth of the fuel-cell market in California can be attributed to the efforts of the state in supporting the technology. While the ticket price of a Tre is $390,000 (more than twice that of an equivalent diesel), purchasers can claim a voucher worth $240,000 per truck. The majority of the 387 vouchers issued so far have gone to support orders for Nikola trucks.
Girsky argues that hydrogen fuel cell technology offers significant advantages over battery-electric, not least double the range. He told Forbes: “If you haul potato chips around town, a battery truck is fine for you. If you want to haul cases of beer a long distance, you’re going to need something more.”
With no independent hydrogen network, Nikola has set up three tanker-based mobile filling stations on a key route out of Long Beach.
There is also an independent hydrogen filling station operated by First Element in San Francisco Bay.
Nikola has also established a mobile station in Canada, where a Tre is undergoing trials with Walmart. As truck volumes grow, Nikola plans to build permanent stations where demand is highest, using grant funds from California.
