Nikola Corporation, which aims to be a leader in zero-emissions transportation solutions, has begun commercial serial production of electric semi-trucks at its Coolidge, Arizona plant.
Nikola marked the start of commercial production of the Nikola Tre electric trucks Wednesday at a ceremony joined by Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, who convinced the company to set up operations in the state.
“We began production of the Tre BEV on March 21 here in Coolidge and today we’re celebrating this milestone and the initial shipments of trucks to our customers,” said Mark Russell, Nikola’s Chief Executive Officer. “In 2022, we’re moving forward with every aspect of our business. Next year, fuel-cell electric vehicles are planned to be added to the manufacturing mix. We are focused on delivering vehicles and generating revenue.”
“Nikola has become a driving force in Arizona’s rapidly expanding electric vehicle industry,” said Governor Ducey. “Watching this innovative company grow and put down roots in Arizona has been truly incredible, and I know it’s only getting started. With the beginning of production at this manufacturing facility, Nikola is clearly in the driver’s seat of the future of transportation and commerce. Thank you to the entire Nikola team, Sandra Watson and the Arizona Commerce Authority, our partners at the legislature and local leaders for supporting this phenomenal project.”
Phase 1 of the Coolidge, Arizona manufacturing facility provides Nikola with a production capacity of 2,500 trucks. Construction of the Phase 2 assembly expansion area has begun and is expected to be completed in 2023 with a production capacity of up to 20,000-trucks per year on two shifts.
Nikola says the Tre has the longest range of any electric semi on the market, getting 350 miles per charge from its 753 kWh pack.
On December 17, 2021, Nikola delivered the first two Nikola Tre BEVs to TTSI. On January 24, 2022, Nikola began FCEV pilot operations with Anheuser-Busch. Two Nikola Tre FCEV alphas are undergoing a pilot in daily service within the brewer’s Southern California distribution network.
Nikola will also make the truck for European customers starting next year at a production line it set up at an Iveco plant in Ulm, Germany. The facility is capable of a production capacity of 2,000 electric trucks per year and is expandable up to 10,000 trucks per year.
