I have been watching the Nikola effort with some skepticism. If memory serves, they were going to do the electric tractor but have switched to the H2 idea. I think the story is still unfolding.
As an owner of a half dozen diesel tractors, but also an "S" and "X" I am convinced the market is headed to electric. The number of items necessary for clean operation of today's diesels whose only purpose is to reduce emissions or heat is considerable. Think about it, a giant fan, with a clutch and v-belts, air coolers, oil coolers, radiator, DEF tanks, afterburners for soot, exhaust stacks and on and on. Those are all things that electric avoids, but many of which the hydrogen unit will still require.
All of the Class 8 truck mfrs are working on an electric solution including Paccar. They are all sort of dipping their toes in the water with tentative steps like keeping the same transmissions as the oil fired units. I suspect there is considerable internal discussion about how much change is too much. I would also bet the dealers are terrified at the prospect of service revenue nearly disappearing.
We own and operate an electric terminal tractor, OrangeEv, look it up. It runs all day every day, silently. There is no fuel or DEF, or radiator etc. It has a battery pack just about the same size as a Tesla and the propulsion is from a motor a little bigger than a beer keg. When we show it to the Pete and Mack sales guys you can see them shudder.
Tesla is starting with the clean sheet. I think it is promising and I look forward to buying them soon!
I am a four time customer but not a stockholder or a "short".
