If you’ve been on the internet lately, you’ve probably heard of Nikola Motors. The Arizona start-up recently made its debut with an IPO on NASDAQ, and now has a market capitalization higher than long-time auto manufacturers Ford and Fiat Chrysler.
What makes that so perplexing is Nikola Motors has yet to produce or sell a single vehicle. And they aren’t expected to until at least 2022.
The product set to release in 2022 is their hydrogen powered pickup truck, the Nikola Badger. Reservations for the truck open on June 29, when more details around the truck are expected to be announced.
I wanted to post something no one has seen. @nikolamotor badger pre-production interior CAD. Notice the floor mounting system? It's throughout the truck and made to secure any loads within the vehicle safely. See quality of everything – waterproof. Hidden Fridge too:) pic.twitter.com/EttmrOuqA4
— Trevor Milton (@nikolatrevor) June 8, 2020
The Badger is expected to take on the likes of the Tesla Cybertruck and electric Ford F-150, which was recently delayed until 2022.
What we do know about the truck so far is that it will be powered by hydrogen fuel cells, which will apparently give it a range of 600 miles (965km), and have 906 horsepower and 980 lb-ft of torque.
The problem with hydrogen fuel cell technology is the current lack of infrastructure to refuel. Across Canada, there are just five such stations, one of which recently started construction in Victoria, British Columbia.
If the fact Nikola Motors has yet to produce or sell a single product wasn’t strange enough, they also don’t have a factory. And don’t plan to have one either. According to Nikola CEO Trevor Milton, they will instead partner with an existing manufacturer, who will produce the truck for them.
