Nikola Badger Set to Release September 2020
February 18, 2020
What does a 4×4 independent wheel drive truck with up to 980 ft.-lb torque, 906hps and a range of 600 miles look like? It looks like the Nikola Badger.
Nikola Corporation recently announced its plan to release the first hydrogen fuel cell and battery hybrid truck to the consumer market with the launch of its Badger truck, slated for release later this year. The company, whose name comes from Tesla’s first name (his full name was Nikola Tesla), has been in the powersports and commercial trucking business and is now making waves in the truck market. What makes the Nikola Badger so compelling are the specs:
0-60 MPH | 2.9 Seconds |
Peak HP | 906 |
Continuous HP | 455 |
Peak Torque | 980 Ft. LBS |
Range | 600 Miles |
Battery | 300 Miles |
Fuel Cell | 300 Miles |
Hydrogen | 8 kg |
Fuel Cell | 120 kW |
Towing Capacity | 8,000 LBS |
Drivetrain | 4×4 Independent Wheel Drive (IWD) |
Dimensions | 5890mm L x 2180mm W x 1870mm T |
The Nikola Badger also assumes a bit more conservative aesthetics versus Tesla’s recent Cybertruck announcement in a package that is said to deliver a total range of 600 miles, utilizing a hydrogen fuel cell that actually powers the battery system while the truck is in use. Hydrogen, as you may know, produces zero emissions and can be extracted from fossil fuels or through a process known as electrolysis in which the hydrogen is split from oxygen in water. This technology isn’t new but has gained far more traction in the commercial trucking industry as evidenced by Annheuser-Busch’s commitment to purchase 800 of Nikola’s semitrucks over the next two years.
Infrastructure for hydrogen, like that of EV charging stations, is continuing to expand which could feasibly make the new Nikola Badger an exceptional option for overland-style travels with a hydrogen fill-up only taking 15 minutes (maximum) versus all-electric requiring a minimum of 1 hour to reach a 90% charge. Details on pricing have not yet been released but the Nikola Badger is slated to begin availability September 2020. We look forward to offering more details as they become available. In the meantime, we’re excited to see the continued evolution of the automotive industry and expect the next few years to produce a myriad of possibilities for adventurists the world over.
Learn more about Nikola Corporation and their various products by visiting https://nikolamotor.com/badger
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