Nikola Motor Corp. has expanded their electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain. The electric truck maker announced a new long-term deal with Proterra for a supply of batteries for its TRE semi trucks.
According to a press release, Nikola expects to incorporate Proterra’s technology into both the TRE battery-electric (BEV) and fuel cell (FCEV) versions of the electric semi truck.
The new agreement follows another made by Nikola in October last year with LG Energy Solutions. That deal will supply Nikola with batteries from 2022 until 2029.
“With the growing demand for the Nikola Tre BEV and FCEV, we have actively pursued battery supply through a dual source strategy,” said Mark Russell, Nikola CEO. “We look forward to collaborating with Proterra, which is expected to bring industry-leading heavy-duty EV battery solutions to Nikola’s battery-electric and fuel cell electric vehicle platforms.”
Proterra has agreed to begin providing Nikola with prototype systems starting in Q2 2022.
The first Nikola semi trucks powered by Proterra technology are expected to be produced in the fourth quarter of this year.
Nikola has already started delivering the TRE semi truck to customers. In December the company handed over its first two Tre battery-electric semi trucks to Total Transportation Services Inc. (TTSI), one of Southern California’s most prominent port trucking companies.
