Nikola launches series production of Class 8 battery-electric trucks

In News1 MinutesBy NZ Trucking magazineApril 29, 2022

Nikola Corporation has launched serial production of the Nikola Tre battery-electric vehicle at its plant in Coolidge Arizona.

Production of the Tre BEV began on March 21 in Coolidge, with initial shipments of trucks now ready for customers.

“In 2022, we’re moving forward with every aspect of our business,” said Mark Russell, Nikola chief executive officer.

“Next year, fuel-cell electric vehicles are planned to be added to the manufacturing mix. We are focused on delivering vehicles and generating revenue,” he said.

Phase 1 of the Coolidge, Arizona manufacturing facility provides Nikola with a production capacity of 2500 trucks. Construction of the Phase 2 assembly expansion area has begun and is expected to be completed in 2023 with a production capacity of up to 20,000-trucks per year on two shifts.

On December 17, 2021, Nikola delivered the first two Nikola Tre BEVs to TTSI. On January 24, 2022, Nikola began FCEV pilot operations with Anheuser-Busch. Two Nikola Tre FCEV alphas are undergoing a pilot in daily service within the brewer’s Southern California distribution network.

Nikola’s Ulm, Germany manufacturing facility on Iveco’s industrial complex is also complete. The facility is capable of a production capacity of 2000 trucks per year and is expandable up to 10,000 trucks per year.