2024 Nikola Tre
We came across this company through the 'Elektrotrucker', not directly, but rather via his driving videos, most recently with his extremely powerful Iveco.
Little by little it becomes clear that this is not actually a real Iveco, and was probably designed with relatively little German or Italian involvement, because even the software now reveals American roots.
| The Iveco is built in Ulm. |
It is the company that, probably because it could no longer name itself after Tesla, simply chose the first name as its trademark. But otherwise, it seems to be a tough competitor, at least in the truck sector.
The German Iveco stands out with more than 1,000 hp, so much power that they even dispensed with the gearbox, unlike the Mercedes eActros which still has four gears. Otherwise, the two are the only ones
with a real electric axle.
But the Iveco BEV does not have batteries as heavy as the Daimler. However, it can fully utilize its 600 kWh, while the Iveco only has 600 of its 738 kWh left. But at least it is already with the customer.
The 'Elektrotrucker' can't stop raving about it. The Iveco obviously manages at the same time to do what Tesla shows in various films: overtake brilliantly in the mountains and have a long range too.
And it was precisely this imaginary comparison with Tesla that made us look across the pond. And the amazement continues here. Nikola has not only finished a cab-over-engine truck with a double rear axle,
but there is also a version with a fuel cell (top right).
No, it's almost out of the experimental stage. Sandy Munro was already there and test-drove it. He was impressed, but now he might have to take off his rose-tinted Tesla glasses, at least when it comes to
trucks. One has already an order prospect for 100 FCEVs.
At around 1,250 kg more, the Nikola is only one tonne heavier than the European Mercedes. And then there is the alternative in the form of a hydrogen drive with a good 2.2 tonnes less weight. This electric truck
is in a uniquely good position in the competition for cheap loading options.
In addition to the weight, you also learn a little more about an FCEV truck this way, for example that it makes a little more noise. However, the USA is not yet prepared for megawatt charging. Mercedes is
clearly ahead here. But the Americans are clearly on the market.
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