Three months after announcing their strategic partnership, IVECO, FPT Industrial, and NIKOLA Motors recently laid out their plan to give the European and North American heavy-duty truck industries a boost toward zero-emissions operations. IVECO says the primary focus of the collaboration is to “successfully deploy zero-emission heavy-duty trucks and to disrupt the industry with a new business model.” Part of that focus involves manufacturing Class 8 cabover trucks powered by hydrogen fuel cells as well as battery-electric models for Europe.
“The increasing focus on the recognition that there needs to be fundamental reductions in automotive emissions is driving our industry to rapidly seek advanced technological solutions,” says Hubertus Mühlhäuser, chief executive officer of CNH Industrial, parent company of IVECO and FPT Industrial. “This joint venture with NIKOLA is testament to both partners’ technical expertise, which will result in tangible environmental benefits for Europe’s long-distance hauliers.”
Collective Expertise
For NIKOLA’s part, the company brings its experience developing fuel cells and other related technologies along with its “disruptive business model that foresees an industry-first, all-inclusive lease rate,” IVECO explains. IVECO and FPT Industrial contribute their manufacturing experience to help speed along the process of making the vehicles commercially viable. The first truck being developed by the trio is the battery electric NIKOLA TRE, which IVECO says is based on its S-WAY platform and “integrates NIKOLA’s proprietary technology, controls, and infotainment.”
The group hopes to start testing the truck in mid-2020 and officially launch it in Europe at IAA Commercial Vehicles, which takes place in Hanover, Germany, from 24 to 30 September 2020. After the launch, IVECO says it will handle “sales and aftersales support” for the vehicle via its “widespread European dealer network.”
A Win-Win Situation
“This partnership is a win-win for everyone involved. From the moment we launched the NIKOLA ONE in 2016, truck drivers and government officials have been asking for us to bring NIKOLA to Europe,” says Trevor Milton, chief executive officer of NIKOLA Motors. “We needed the right partner to help us enter the European market and CNH Industrial is the right commercial partner.”
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