Truck Duels Kick Off with Batteries Battling Fuel Cells for Top Spot

Nikola President Michael Lohscheller was beaming when he unveiled the U.S. startup’s fuel cell truck for the European market at the region’s biggest commercial-vehicle show this week.Series production of Nikola’s Tre FCEV, which boasts a range of up to 500 miles and refueling times of 20 minutes, will start in early 2024 in Europe, Lohscheller told reporters Sept. 19 at the IAA Transportation event in Hanover, Germany. “We believe this truck will change the world as we know it today,” he said.But Nikola this week also began taking orders in Europe for its battery-electric Tre, which is closer to series production. The U.S. startup’s dual-technology approach — Lohscheller described it as “standing on two legs” — shows how most manufacturers haven’t yet made up their mind on which technology will become the dominant drivetrain for emissions-free commercial…

Read more…