Nikola Badger Pickup Promises 600 Mile Range
Nikola Badger electric pickup truck has an estimated range of 300 miles when powered in battery-electric mode (BEV), and 600 miles with a hydrogen-powered fuel-cell electric (FCEV) power source. It operates on blended FCEV / BEV or BEV-only by touch of a button.
The pickup truck will deliver 906 peak and 455 continuous horsepower and 980 lb.-ft. of torque.
The company said the truck will be built “in conjunction with another OEM utilizing their certified parts and manufacturing facilities.” Although Nikola did not name the partner, CNH Industrial has invested in the company on the heavy truck side, and the JV announced last year that it would launch a battery-powered heavy truck this fall.
Nikola said it will introduce the Badger in the same time period.
The BEV version of the pickup truck will accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds, the company said. It said the Badger is designed to handle 0 to 100 mph launches with minimal loss of performance and to operate on grades up to 40 percent through advanced software blending of batteries and fuel-cell. With a fully loaded trailer and combined vehicle weight of 18,000 pounds, the Badger will be able to launch from a standstill on a 30-percent grade without motor stall, it said in a press release.
“Nikola has billions worth of technology in our semi-truck program, so why not build it into a pickup truck?” said Trevor Milton, CEO, in a prepared statement. “I have been working on this pickup program for years and believe the market is now ready for something that can handle a full day’s worth of work without running out of energy. This electric truck can be used for work, weekend getaways, towing, off-roading or to hit the ski slopes without performance loss. No other electric pickup can operate in these temperatures and conditions.”
Nikola said the electric pickup is designed to handle “what a construction company could throw at it.” The Badger will be outfitted with a 15-kilowatt power outlet for tools, lights, and compressors, which is enough power to assist a construction site for approximately 12 hours without a generator, it said.
Heavy D, a reality TV star from the “Diesel Brothers,” has partnered with Nikola to design, build, and test the Badger in real-world environments, which is anticipated to attract millions of viewers and followers through the process. The partnership will follow the Badger build from concept through production.
“My audience, hard-core truck enthusiasts, has expected me to push the limits of truck power and capabilities since my beginnings,” said Heavy D, AKA Dave Sparks, in a statement. “Being able to pull back the curtain of a production truck build is a rare opportunity where we can include the everyday truck owner to participate in the final outcome of design, exterior choices and performance specs. I wanted to be part of that story and now I have the opportunity with Nikola.”
“The Nikola Badger...will help drive down the cost of the fuel-cell components on our semi-truck while accelerating the hydrogen station rollout,” said president Mark Russell in a statement. “Giving customers the option to order a fuel-cell or battery electric version will ensure we drive the cost down for everyone across our lineup.”
Nikola is currently planning 700 hydrogen stations in North America, and said it will announce initial locations this quarter.
Source: Nikola
