I have my eye on this one. I will watch them work out some of the bugs and then seriously consider it. The Nikola has it going on. 1000 hp at the wheels, 2000 lb lighter than the average current Class 8 truck, and the list goes on. Ryder Fleet is on target to set up a 72 mo lease deal on these trucks, which includes free hydrogen or NG (for the NG versions) for the life of the lease. Was just chatting about an hour ago with the wife about this truck. I have been interested in it since it first got press mention about a year ago. I will be watching this one closely. The right deal, and I will most likely bite.
U.S. Xpress, and big time player in the national carrier scene, has committed to a major acquisition of these trucks. Ryder Fleet Systems, a serious heavy hitter in the Class 8 scene, is set to be a major provider to everyone from single truck owners to fleets. Even a Caterpillar dealership with two locations has already placed their stake in the game and will offer them an service them. This one has good potential to be more than a pipe dream.
All it takes is $1700 down to reserve one, and Nikola has raised $4 billion just from that venue. And the investors are lining up on top of that.
When it was initially announced, it was going to be a CNG powered turbine that would generate the power for the batteries. Then Nikola started talking hydrogen fuel cells. My guess is that both versions will be available at some point.
