Nikola has announced the development of a mobile hydrogen fueler, designed for direct fueling of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles. The company plans to release its own Tre FCEV later in the year, and the mobile fueler has already undergone commissioning and testing, with more to be completed in the first quarter of this year. This program will offer customers a range of flexible fueling options, including Nikola’s own mobile fuelers and third-party options.
“Nikola has spent the greater part of two years developing a flexible mobile fueling solution which cools and compresses hydrogen to rapidly fill 700 bar FCEV heavy-duty trucks,” said Nikola President and CEO Michael Lohscheller in an announcement. “Coupled with Nikola’s hydrogen tube trailer, with a capacity of 960 kg, Nikola’s mobile fueler can refuel customer trucks back-to-back. This will deliver flexible hydrogen fueling solutions for our customers starting in 2023 and will complement Nikola’s permanent hydrogen fueling stations which are being developed.”
“Nikola’s mobile fueler program will be an integral part of Nikola’s flexible customer service in its early years by delivering hydrogen to its FCEV customers at locations which meet their needs,” said Carey Mendes, Nikola president of energy. “Along with Nikola’s portfolio of hydrogen supply and permanent heavy-duty stations, these flexible mobile fuelers will ensure that our customers have complete coverage for their fueling needs.”
According to Nikola, the Nikola Tre FCEV is expected to have one of the longest ranges of all commercially available Class 8 tractors with zero emissions. The vehicle will also have weight savings when compared to other Class 8 BEVs with similar range.
The company recently announced that it has received a Zero-Emission Powertrain Executive Order from the California Air Resources Board, which will make the Nikola Tre FCEV eligible for the Hybrid and Zero Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) program.
Upon final approval, buyers of the Nikola Tre FCEV in 2023 may be able to qualify for a state-based incentive worth up to $288,000 per truck. Additionally, buyers will also qualify for a $40,000 federal clean commercial vehicle tax credit in 2023.
