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Iveco joins forces with Nikola for electric trucks
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ust two years since Italian truck and van manufacturer Iveco and US electric vehicle specialist Nikola announced their cooperation, the two companies have opened their first new factory, in Ulm, Germany, with a second already in build in Coolidge, Arizona. The site in Ulm, which in the past housed various Iveco heavy truck models, has been completely rebuilt to assemble the Nikola Tre models. The production line has been designed to build up to 1,000 heavy trucks per year, per shift, which could lead to up to 3,000 vehicles on a three-shift basis. Initially the facility will assemble two trucks a week in early 2022, rising to a truck a day by 2023. Early vehicles will be predominantly built for the North American market, until the Arizona site comes on stream.
The Nikola Tre tractor is based on Iveco’s S-Way platform, with a 753kWh battery pack that can be recharged in as little as 120 minutes. The battery delivers a motor power of around 645hp and the truck offers a 560km driving range. During the factory opening event, Nikola also unveiled a Tre hydrogen fuel cell prototype, for longer distance use. Offering a 10-30 minute refuelling time, the FCEV (fuel cell electric vehicle) is said to offer a range of up to 800km. Both vehicles use an E-axle, designed and built by Iveco’s sister company FPT in cooperation with Bosch. Nikola has also been working with a host of suppliers to deliver rapid recharging and hydrogen supply facilities across the US. In Europe, Iveco and Nikola have signed a memorandum of understanding with Hamburg Port Au-
thority, that will see up to 25 Nikola Tre trucks entering into trials within the port during 2022. The trucks will be built to the US standard, but with special permission to operate within the facility.
Fering to build electric adventure pick-up
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British company has developed a range-extended electric pick-up, aimed at adventure drivers and the emergency services, rather than lifestyle users. The Fering Pioneer has been developed by a former Formula One engineer and uses racing technology to provide unrivalled offgrid operating capabilities. About the size of a typical delivery van, the truck weighs just 1,500kg, or as much as a family hatchback. However, it also offers a claimed 1,500kg payload. Both axles are powered by electric motors, delivering up to 600Nm of torque. Lithium Titanate Oxide batteries deliver up to 50 miles of electric-only range, while an 800cc three-cylinder biodiesel engine is used as a range extender, to charge the batteries on the move. With long range fuel tanks fitted, the company claims up to 4,300 miles of total operating range. If the driving range is not required, the tanks can be changed for water tanks if needed in off-grid travel. Likewise, the driveline can be tailored to the individual operation, with the engine replaced by a fuel cell for Asian markets, or with an alcohol-fuelled motor in countries like Brazil. The truck runs on 22.5” wheels, not to 24 VANUSER • OCTOBER 2021
compete with the latest luxury off-roader, but because it is the most common heavy truck tyre size around the world. The company also claims that the Pioneer is not expected to have an end-of-life recycling prob-
lem, as it will be easy to repair and upgrade indefinitely. Early prototypes are currently being assessed by potential customers. Production is expected to start during the first half of 2022.
