Nikola signs for supplying 100 trucks
The collaboration will demonstrate the advantages of both BEVs and FCEVs technologies during vehicle trials at the Port of Los Angeles.
Nikola Corporation and Southern California’s port trucking company Total Transportation Services Inc. (TTSI) will collaborate to accelerate zero-emission transportation at the port of Los Angeles.
The collaboration covers vehicle trials and a Letter of Intent (LOI) for supplying 100 Nikola Class 8 battery-electric vehicle (BEV) and fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV) semi-trucks, though subject to negotiations and conditions.
TTSI aims to start the order with a trial of four tracks planned to start in the first half of next year, consisting of two BEVs and two FCEVs. Subject to the satisfactory completion of the vehicle trials and certain government funding, TTSI aims for thirty BEVs in later parts of 2022, followed by 70 FCEVs in 2023.
The Nikola Tre BEV is designed for up to 350 miles range, while the Tre FCEV truck can go up to 500 miles, addressing most of the North American regional market.
Michael Erickson, Nikola’s Global Head of BEV business unit, said, “TTSI’s decision to utilize both Nikola BEV and FCEV vehicles speaks to their forward-looking and strategic mindset in covering a variety of hauling distances and loads.”
Jason Roycht, Nikola’s Global Head of the FCEV business unit, said, “The drayage and port operations present an excellent use case for BEV and FCEV trucks where operational efficiency cannot be compromised.”
TTSI assess that around 13k to 14k trucks call at the Port of Los Angeles/Long Beach every month, which emit around 2.6k tonnes/year of smog-causing nitrogen-oxide emissions. These zero-emission trucks are expected to make a significant difference in the transition to sustainable transportation in California.
Vic LaRosa, President of TTSI, said, “The Nikola Tre trucks are exactly the type of zero-emission solution we need to be using at the port.”
