Iveco & Nikola getting closer to truck plant in Germany

Nikola & Iveco gear up for truck production in Germany at the Iveco plant in Ulm as planned. The factory has now been officially presented with the production of the Nikola Tre to begin there this year. The pilot customer in Europe is the Port of Hamburg that will work up to 25 trucks next year.

For the Nikola Tre, the US start-up is supplying the electric drive train and Iveco the S-Way platform including the driver’s cab. The drives, control systems and infotainment developed by Nikola were integrated into this chassis. As reported, assembly will take place at the plant of Iveco’s parent company CNH Industrial.

Small-series production is scheduled to start this year, with production rising to 3,000 vehicles per year in the medium term. “This is yet another important milestone for Nikola as we execute on our strategy and vision to be a global leader in zero-emissions transportation solutions,” Nikola CEO Mark Russell said at the event at the Ulm plant. Gerrit Marx, President Commercial & Specialty Vehicles at CNH Industrial, added: “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.”

The first examples are to go to selected customers in the US. Next year, the Tre will also be deployed in Europe: As announced on the sidelines of the inauguration ceremony, the Port of Hamburg is to become the pilot customer in Europe. There, 25 electric trucks are to be used and tested from 2022. A corresponding letter of intent was signed in Ulm. According to CNH, the Nikola Tre will first be tested as part of the port’s transport logistics, with the second phase to include “full integration into daily operations”.

The battery-electric version of the Tre built in Ulm is expected to have a range of up to 560 kilometres. In the second half of 2023, the Tre is also to be launched with a fuel cell – Russell showed a corresponding exhibit at its presentation in Ulm. As reported, key components of the FC drives will be supplied by Bosch.

During the course of the year, Nikola had revised its delivery target for 2021 downwards twice – among other things because of the lack of semiconductors. According to the latest statements, 25 to 50 vehicles are to be delivered with a revenue margin of zero to 7.5 million dollars.

nikolamotor.com, reuters.com (Hamburg Port)