Nikola Corp., a fuel cell and semitruck specialist, is joining Tesla, Rivian and Hummer among brands aiming for an electric-drive pickup market that doesn't yet exist.
Nikola last week revealed the Badger pickup and said it will be manufactured in partnership with an automaker that it didn't disclose. Some speculate that might be Fiat Chrysler Automobiles because they have a common major investor: Exor Corp. is the controlling investor in FCA and in CNH Industrial, which led Nikola's Series D round of funding with a $250 million stake.
FCA declined to comment on the Badger.
The truck boasts 600 miles of range: half from fully charged batteries and the rest from fuel cells with a full tank of hydrogen. It will make its first public appearance at Nikola World at the company's Phoenix headquarters in the fall.
Production is planned for 2021. The company has not disclosed where it will be manufactured but projects the truck will be on the road by the end of that year.
The company said the horsepower ratings (455 continuous hp, 906 hp at peak), towing capacity (8,000 pounds) and range are designed to "outperform all electric pickup trucks on the market." The truck is aimed at the building and trade industries, and Nikola said its 15-kilowatt outlet for tools, lights and compressors is enough to power a construction site for about 12 hours without a generator.
Vince Bond Jr. contributed to this report.
