The new Nikola One

They exaggerate a bit when comparing diesel to the hydrogen fuel cell thing.

My truck with only 5.5 - 6 mpg can easily go 1400 mi between fill ups,.. not 750 as claimed. And I read somewhere they are only setting up 360 - 370 filling stations across the US along major routes. Not enough for my comfort.

Also,.. if you think guys who get angry waiting to fuel at idiots who park at the fuel island and go inside. Can you imagine the congestion and frustration with idiots in trucks that take 15 - 20 mins,.. potentially longer,.. just to fuel? I dont have the patience for that.

Says they want to lease these trucks for $5000 - $7000 a month. $84,000 a year? $420,000 for 5 years? Seriously?

You can buy a new truck now and finance it for roughly $1500 - $2500 month depending on the truck and your terms. A low side of 7 mpg averaging say 100k mi a year,.. at current fuel costs,.. fuel will run you approx $34,000 - $35,000 annually. $20,000 in annual finance payments. $54,000 in total,.. where is the savings with the Nicola One? I dont see it.

Hurst

 

Well thought out Hurst.....

Im sure when they 'research' what they have in theory it will nothing but boiler plate literature

 

Hurst, from press releases I've read, that 5-7k payment will include fuel and maintenance. I don't know all the details, but they are only releasing that truck as a full service lease. Basically, that 5-7k and insurance will be pretty much your entire operating costs per month. Don't know if it'll really work like that, but I'd read that a couple different times. But you're right. Using your numbers, which I certainly don't doubt, you'd be ahead getting a traditional truck. Guess they want you pay for the "cool factor".

 

Are you a O/O if so how long have you been at it?

 

https://nikolamotor.com

 

Thats why I included the fuel and finance costs for a new truck. $84,000 annually for the Nikola One or $54,000 annually for a new Cascadia.

I didnt read where they said it included all maintenance costs,.. just free fuel. And thats only for the first 5000 customers. Too sketchy for me. Maybe I'm too old to see the logistical efficiency in a truck like that. I only see limited operating range due to the current minimal refueling infrastructure. They wont start on building the refueling stations until 2018. How many years will it take before they get all 370 completed?

Besides,.. even if this works out,.. by the time this would become the defacto standard in trucking,.. I will have retired and wont care.

I'll keep using soot belching CAT powered diesel until then.

Hurst

 

I for one would be in favor of using the Nikola. The presence of 1200 horse on 6 driving wheels rather than a measly 600 provides for a good beef to make time upgrade.

The exterior is not that important to me except I think it is a well thought out design.

I regret that I will probably never have a chance to drive that thing because Im out of the industry due to medical reasons. I rather have a Nikola than a half million dollar Otto that thinks it can drive by itself.