Iveco, FPT Industrial and Nikola have jointly released the Nikola TRE prototype, the first vehicle produced by CNH Industrial and Nikola’s joint venture plant, which incorporates the technical achievements of the commercial vehicle brand and the powertrain team .
The Nikola TRE prototype vehicle was developed based on the Iveco S-WAY tractor platform released in Madrid in July this year, and the S-WAY was well received by customers and industry experts at that time. Nikola TRE integrates Nikola’s advanced battery electric technology and a new generation of exclusive infotainment system.
The integration of Nikola’s design into the Iveco S-WAY was carried out jointly by two companies, Nikola and Italdesign, whose headquarters are in Moncalieri, Turin. This design integration is a natural fit for the two companies, as they co-developed the first prototype of the Nikola TRE back in 2018 and unveiled it at a NIKOLA global event in April this year.
Gerrit Marx, President of Commercial and Special Vehicles of CNH Industrial Group, said: “Iveco S-WAY is an impressive product, which embodies Iveco’s customer-centric philosophy. The current market response is good and it has achieved expectations. This model is the backbone of the Nikola TRE, marking the beginning of a new journey for zero-emission trucking and providing us with a platform with disruptive capabilities to change the future of the transportation industry.”
Nikola TRE battery-electric truck: zero-emission regional transport
The vehicle on display at the event is a Nikola TRE 4×2 prototype tractor, suitable for regional missions with a cruising range of up to 400 km, with better dynamic performance than its diesel equivalent.
The car will be equipped with a modular battery system with a total capacity of up to 720 kWh, which can be tailored to different customer tasks. The electric drivetrain will deliver a continuous power output of 480 kW and a peak torque of up to 1,800 Nm.
The Nikola TRE will also be available in two-axle and three-axle rigid versions with a gross vehicle weight of 18 to 26 tons, suitable for urban distribution and municipal tasks.
Next-generation exclusive infotainment and navigation system
Nikola TRE will adopt a new-generation infotainment system based on Nikola’s exclusive control system, which integrates infotainment and navigation functions, and controls most of the vehicle’s functions. The system’s functions include climate control, mirror adjustment, suspension height adjustment, 360-degree camera system, navigation, Bluetooth audio system, comprehensive vehicle settings and vehicle diagnostic management.
The vehicle utilizes Bluetooth Low Energy technology to establish a secure connection between the vehicle and the customer’s mobile device, resulting in a truly hands-free media experience. Using Bluetooth technology can also realize the smart keyless entry function, which can automatically unlock when the driver approaches the vehicle. The system can even adjust settings such as suspension height and interior temperature to the driver’s preference.
Bridge to Fuel Cell Electric Heavy Truck
Iveco, FPT Industrial and Nikola have adopted an industry-first modular production method when developing electric products for the European market. Nikola’s fuel cells will be the starting point for battery electric designs, enabling the conversion of Nikola TRE battery electric vehicles (BEVs) to fuel cell technology. In this way, the two cooperative companies will focus on the long-term planning of the future. Both of these technologies are currently being put to use, with a view to incorporating battery electric vehicles (BEV) and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) into their respective products in the coming years.
The joint venture plans to launch the Nikola TRE at next year’s IAA show and Nikola’s global events, and expects to deliver the first vehicles to customers in 2021 and to offer fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) to customers by 2023.
