The work trucks are a variation of the Nikola Tre battery semi that goes into production in Germany around the end of this year. Units for Republic will be built at Nikola’s U.S. factory that’s under construction in Coolidge, Arizona. The zero-emission vehicles will offer more than 150 miles of range and handle up to 1200 cans per charge, Phoenix-based Nikola said.
The order is the biggest to date for electric trash trucks in the U.S., and Republic has an option to expand it to up to 5,000 vehicles, Nikola said, without providing details on the value of the deal or a price per truck.
“The refuse market is one of the most stable markets in the industry and provides long-term shareholder value,” Nikola founder and Executive Chairman Trevor Milton said. “The Nikola Tre powertrain is ideal for the refuse market as it shares and uses the same batteries, controls, inverters and e-axle. By sharing the Tre platform, we can drive the cost down for both programs by using the same parts.”
On-road tests of the refuse trucks start in 2022, with deliveries for Republic getting underway in 2023. The vehicle’s batteries will hold up 720kWh of electricity and be equipped with automated side and front-end loaders. Republic is assisting in the design, Nikola said.
Nikola shares jumped 12% to $41.16 in morning Nasdaq trading.
From Los Angeles, the U.S. capital of cars and congestion, I try to make sense of technology-driven changes reshaping transportation, cities and how we get around. I’ve
From Los Angeles, the U.S. capital of cars and congestion, I try to make sense of technology-driven changes reshaping transportation, cities and how we get around. I’ve tracked global automakers, advanced vehicle tech and environmental policy for more than two decades, including 15 years at Bloomberg, and squeezed in stints in the financial and corporate worlds. What’s your story?