Nikola Corp. has taken the lead in zero-emission transportation with their new breakthrough technology – a revolutionary 700 bar (10,000 psi) hydrogen mobile fueler that can directly fill up hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles as it prepares to roll out its own Tre FCEV later this year.
“Nikola has spent the greater part of two years developing a flexible mobile fueling solution which cools and compresses hydrogen to rapidly fill 700 bar FCEV heavy-duty trucks,” said Nikola President and CEO Michael Lohscheller in an announcement. “Coupled with Nikola’s hydrogen tube trailer, with a capacity of 960 kg, Nikola’s mobile fueler can refuel customer trucks back-to-back. This will deliver flexible hydrogen fueling solutions for our customers starting in 2023 and will complement Nikola’s permanent hydrogen fueling stations which are being developed.”
Nikola’s hydrogen-fueling initiative has taken a major step forward with the successful commission and testing of its first mobile fueler, which has been released for market operation, with additional hydrogen mobile fuelers being commissioned in the first quarter of this year.
Nikola’s mobile fueling program offers a flexible fueling solution which will combine Nikola’s own mobile fuelers with a number of third-party fuelers to provide their customers with a variety of flexible fueling options.
“Nikola’s mobile fueler program will be an integral part of Nikola’s flexible customer service in its early years by delivering hydrogen to its FCEV customers at locations which meet their needs,” said Carey Mendes, Nikola president of energy. “Along with Nikola’s portfolio of hydrogen supply and permanent heavy-duty stations, these flexible mobile fuelers will ensure that our customers have complete coverage for their fueling needs.”
The company’s own hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric vehicle boasts an impressive range of up to 500 miles – expected to be among the longest ranges of all commercially available zero tailpipe emission Class 8 tractors while realizing weight savings when compared to Class 9 BEVs with similar range, according to Nikola.
If you’re considering one of these vehicles, the good news is that they have received a California Air Resources Board (CARB) Zero-Emission Executive Order, which is the requirement for the Tre FVEB to be eligible for CARB’s Hybrid and Zero Emission Truck and Bus Boucher Incentive Project (HVIP).
Upon final approval, those purchasing the Nikola Tre FCEV in 2023 may qualify for California’s state-based incentive offering an impressive range of benefits. Eligible non-drayage fleets may be able to secure a maximum voucher value reaching $240,000 per truck while drayage fleet owners can qualify for up to $288,000 per vehicle if they have ten or fewer trucks located within disadvantaged communities. Both categories are entitled to receive up 30 and 50 vouchers respectively.
In addition, purchasers may also qualify for an additional $40,000 clean commercial vehicle tax credit in 2023 from the federal government due to the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act.
Sources: TruckingInfo, TransportTopics, NikolaMotors
