The electric truck platform is expected to carry up to 720kWh of energy storage to offer up to 150 miles on a single charge, outperforming conventional diesel or natural gas trucks in horsepower and torque.
US-based Nikola Corporation has announced a minimum order of 2,500 electrified refuse trucks from Republic Services, the second largest recycling and solid waste provider in the U.S. The order is expandable up to 5,000 units, and is likely to begin full production deliveries in 2023 with on-road testing scheduled for early 2022. The truck chassis and body will be provided directly to Republic Services from the Nikola factory.
“This is a game changer. Refuse truck customers have always ordered chassis from truck OEMs and bodies from other suppliers. Nikola has fully integrated the chassis and body, covering both with a single factory warranty. Trucks will include both automated side loaders and front-end loaders — all of which will be zero-emission.”
Mark Russell, CEO, Nikola Corporation.
“Nikola specializes in heavy-duty, zero-emission Class 8 trucks. The refuse market is one of the most stable markets in the industry and provides long-term shareholder value,” said Nikola Founder and Executive Chairman Trevor Milton. “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. You couldn’t pick a better partner than Republic Services, a leader in long-term environmental sustainability and customer service. Republic Services will help us ensure the Nikola Tre meets customer and fleet lifecycle demands and we are excited to have them participate in the design process.”
The powertrain software will be limited to 1,000 HP and is expected to outperform current diesel and natural gas competitors. The new platform can give refuse trucks nearly three-times the HP of natural gas and diesel options, giving operators the ability to go up hills with full loads without issue — a challenge natural gas vehicle manufacturers have been working to solve. The latest e-truck order is the largest single order in the waste industry, and will result in a much quieter and emission-free refuse collection experience, according to Nikola.
