Nikola Corporation, a global leader in zero-emissions transportation and energy supply and infrastructure solutions, and Iveco Group have signed a Letter of Intent for an order of 100 Class 8, heavy-duty Nikola Tre hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) from GP JOULE, a system provider for integrated energy solutions based in Reussenkoege, Germany.
The Nikola Tre FCEVs in the European 6×2 variant will be manufactured by the joint venture between Nikola and Iveco Group at the site created in Ulm, Germany, Iveco Group said in a statement.
Thirty of the initial 100 Nikola Tre FCEVs are expected to be delivered to GP JOULE within 2024, the statement noted.
This will be followed by the delivery of the remaining 70 vehicles in 2025, with the possibility for GP JOULE to acquire them through GATE ( Green & Advanced Transport Ecosystem), Iveco Group’s all-inclusive electric truck rental model, the statement revealed while adding that IVECO will provide the essential maintenance and service functions.
GP JOULE will make the 100 Nikola trucks available to its customers in transport and logistics.
The order is subject to GP JOULE’s successful application of the funding from Germany’s program to support the acquisition of vehicles with alternative, climate-friendly drives.
Besides this, starting in 2026, GP JOULE and Iveco Group agreed to market additional fuel cell trucks to customers in Europe, Iveco said while adding that GP JOULE will provide them with 100% green hydrogen at their hydrogen refueling station network.
Commenting on the development, Michael Lohscheller, president and CEO, Nikola Corporation, said, “The order from GP JOULE will be an example of how the Nikola Tre FCEV can further support commercial customers in Germany in their transition towards zero-emissions several years ahead of other OEMs, which helps to achieve the goal of decarbonizing the transportation sector.”
Agreeing with him Simone Olivati, president, financial services, Iveco Group said, “We are very pleased by the choice of GP JOULE and that with this agreement, thanks to our innovative GATE rental model, we will bring hydrogen mobility to customers in Germany and progress on the decarbonisation of road freight transport.”
He said, GATE is dedicated to meeting the needs of both battery and hydrogen fuel cell electric commercial vehicle customers, initially serving both the IVECO and Nikola brands. This agreement is a chance to start offering our comprehensive service based on a pay-per-use formula that will allow customers access to the propulsion of tomorrow.