German logistics provider Richter Group has partnered with Nikola and E.ON to decarbonize its vehicle fleet by purchasing 20 hydrogen-electric trucks and the hydrogen needed to power them. The joint venture will also provide refueling infrastructure, with the first station set to be located at Richter Group’s base in Wesel.
The Nikola Tre hydrogen electric trucks will be built by the joint venture between Nikola and Iveco in Ulm, Germany. The European 6×2 variant is expected to have a range of up to 800km, making it ideal for various applications including drayage, intermodal, metro-regional truckload, less than truckload, and certain specialized hauling use cases.
See also: Nikola Motor & E.ON partnership for hydrogen refuelling infrastructure
Richter Group, which currently owns over 160 diesel-powered trucks, plans to transition its entire fleet to Nikola Tre hydrogen electric trucks over the next four to five years. The logistics provider also plans to work with its partners to transition their fleets to zero-emission vehicles, which could result in an additional 750 hydrogen-electric trucks. Richter Group will be working with Nikola and E.ON’s technology subsidiary Sundronix GmbH to develop a 700-bar refueling infrastructure, hydrogen transport logistics, and hydrogen supply.
Michael Lohscheller, CEO of Nikola Corporation, said the commitment from Richter Group is another example of how Nikola and E.ON are playing an essential role in helping Germany achieve the goal of decarbonizing the transportation sector. The initial order of 20 zero-emission trucks equates to avoiding the annual CO2 emissions from approximately 600 passenger cars.
This partnership is a significant step towards achieving a greener and more sustainable future for the transport sector, and it demonstrates the growing demand for zero-emission heavy-duty trucks in Europe. As more companies follow in the footsteps of Richter Group, the transition to zero-emission trucks will help to reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality, and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
