Nikola One Fuel Cell Electric Truck Promises High Fuel Economy, Low Maintenance

A wrap was removed and the Nikola One prototype revolved before the enthusiastic audience at the Dec. 1 unveiling. Liquified hydrogen is stored in bottles behind the long sleeper-cab. Photos: Tom Berg 

SALT LAKE CITY -- If enthusiasm would ensure success, Nikola One, the fuel cell-electric long-haul tractor unveiled Thursday night in Salt Lake City, is a sure thing. A form-fitting white wrap came off the streamlined vehicle amid applause, cheers and whistles from hundreds of guests who have no link to the company except as potential customers, but think it might really be the game changer for the trucking industry that its proponents claim.

Chief among them is Trevor Milton, founder and CEO of Nikola Motor Co., the start-up firm that's designing the electrically propelled truck and is preparing it for production. Milton, who made his entrance on an electric off-road vehicle called the Nikola Zero, opened the presentation noting that while development has been difficult, he offered a quote from Oren Harari that he says captures everything he has been trying to explain to people since the beginning of the project: "The electric light did not come from the continuous improvement of candles." His small company could take the chances on a revolutionary product that a large corporation simply cannot do, he said.

Milton unveiled the truck while providing details of how the truck's electric drive system would be powered by a combination of hydrogen fuel cells, lithium-ion batteries and regenerative braking. Milton said the truck will be in production by 2020, with an expected annual build rate of 50,000 units.

Nikola trucks will be sold and serviced by Ryder System, an agreement announced earlier Thursday. Ryder's maintenance expertise and more than 800 locations will provide complete support for the trucks, Milton said.

The Nikola One sleeper-cab is aimed at the ...Read the rest of this story

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Nikola One Unveiled Amid Applause, Cheers

A wrap was removed and the Nikola One prototype revolved before the enthusiastic audience at the Dec. 1 unveiling. Photos: Tom Berg 

If enthusiasm would ensure success, Nikola One, the fuel cell-electric long-haul tractor unveiled Thursday night in Salt Lake City, is a sure thing. A form-fitting white wrap came off the streamlined vehicle amid applause, cheers and whistles from hundreds of guests who have no link to the company, but think it might really be the game changer for the trucking industry that its proponents claim.

Chief among them is Trevor Milton, founder and CEO of Nikola Motor Co., the start-up firm that's designing the electrically propelled truck and is preparing it for production. Development has been difficult, he said, “but one of my favorite quotes is, ‘The electric light did not come from continuous improvement of candles.'” His small company could take the chances on a revolutionary product that a large corporation simply cannot do, he said.

Nikolas will be sold and serviced by Ryder System, an agreement announced earlier Thursday. Ryder's maintenance expertise and more than 800 locations will provide complete support for the trucks, Milton said.

The Nikola One sleeper-cab is aimed at the long-haul market composed of owner-operators and fleets of various sizes. Milton said a daycab version, called Nikola Two, will join the sleeper and expand the applications suited for the fuel cell-electric truck. It looks like a typical conventional-cab tractor.

A Nikola vehicle's economics appear impressive. Without an engine, transmission, driveline and axles, it should be cheap to maintain and will get double or triple the effective fuel economy of today's diesel-powered trucks and tractors, he said. There'll be no tailpipe emissions, and only water comes as a byproduct of the chemical reaction by which hydrogen generates electricity. A Nikola One will weigh about 17,000 pounds ...Read the rest of this story

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Trailer Slick Plate Requires No Grease

Minimizer has launched the Trailer Slick Plate, a self-lubricating polymer plate that attaches to a trailer's upper coupler.

The device makes maintenance easier, not requiring grease and is designed to reduce coupling issues between tractors and trailers.

The Trailer Slick Plate reduces wear and tear on the truck's fifth wheel, as well as the trailer's upper coupler. It can also improve trailer handling for drivers and increases steer tire life.

“The Trailer Slick Plate is an excellent addition to our line,” said Craig Kruckeberg, Minimizer CEO and chief visionary. “Nobody wants to have to grease the upper coupler plate, and with this product, you don't have to.”

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AutoSock Fits Wide Base Single Tires

AutoSock AS, the provider of an alternative traction device for commercial vehicles, has expanded its AutoSock product line to include several wide base single tires.

AutoSock is an alternative to chains when traction devices are required and can be used in states that have no specific device exclusions when chain requirements are in effect. The AutoSock uses fibers and a specifically designed surface pattern to maximize the total contact area exposed to dry friction on snow and ice-covered roads.

Unlike tire chains, AutoSock is designed to not damage a vehicle's fenders and exposed brake lines and it is fully compatible with ABS and traction control systems. The AutoSock can be installed quickly and weighs less than five pounds per pair – far lighter than a comparable 50-pounds set of chains.

AutoSock models for wide base single tires include the following:

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