Hydrogen-electric powered semi-truck start-up Nikola Motor Company has announced that brewer Anheuser-Busch (the maker of Budweiser beer), has placed an order for up to 800 of its trucks. Nikola says it will start delivering the trucks to the company's distribution arm in 2020, and that it will show off a final production version of the truck at the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show.
Nikola claims the zero-emission trucks will be able to travel between 500 and 1,200 miles and be refuelled within 20 minutes.
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Through this agreement Anheuser-Busch aims to convert its entire long-haul dedicated fleet to renewable powered trucks by 2025.
"At Anheuser-Busch we're continuously searching for ways to improve sustainability across our entire value chain and drive our industry forward," said Michel Doukeris, CEO of Anheuser-Busch. "The transport industry is one that is ripe for innovative solutions and Nikola is leading the way with hydrogen-electric, zero-emission capabilities. We are very excited by the possibilities our partnership with them can offer."
"Hydrogen-electric technology is the future of logistics and we're proud to be leading the way," added Trevor Milton, CEO of Nikola Motor Company. "Anheuser-Busch has a long history of investing in progressive, sustainable technology and we are excited to partner with them to bring the largest hydrogen network in the world to the USA. By 2028, we anticipate having over 700 hydrogen stations across the USA and Canada. With nearly 9 billion dollars in pre-order reservations, we are building to order, not speculation, and are very excited for what's to come."
Tesla is also interested in developing electric trucks for long-haul freight applications, but analysts caution the technology is expensive and technically challenging for freight trucks with heavy mass travelling long distances.
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By GlobalData
