US EV developer plans to launch 2,000 hp electric truck this year
11 May 2016
US-based electric vehicle maker Nikola Motor Company today said it is launching a 2,000 horsepower, electric semi-truck, dubbed "Nikola One", and a 520 hp, 4x4 electric UTV with a code name of "Nikola Zero."
According to Nikola (pronounced Neek-oh-la), reservations have just begun for both the Nikola Zero UTV and the Nikola One electric semi-truck.
Nikola, named after inventor Tesla Nikola, was formed without fanfare by its CEO Trevor Milton to design and manufacture electric vehicles, energy storage systems and electric vehicle drivetrain components.
While the majority of the semi-trucks components are being developed by Nikola, the company says it has co-designed the industry's first ever independent suspension with US defence auto components maker Meritor.
"By working together with some of the top engineering firms in America, we were able to design vehicles that have previously been thought impossible to design," said Milton.
"We want to even the playing field and income inequalities seen between owner-operators and fleets for the first time in recent trucking history. This is just the beginning of what's ahead for America, our company and the electric vehicle market," added Milton.
Prior to establishing Nikola, Milton was CEO of dHybrid Systems, a natural gas storage technology company that was acquired in October 2014 by one of America's largest steel providers, Worthington Industries.