Potential game-changer, for Linehaul, if it is as economical as they say. Reliability would need to be there also.
The article mentioned being able to haul 65,000lb. That’s short of the 80,000lb GVW for non-permitted truck cargo. Does the tractor weigh 15,000lb? Meaning the weight of the trailer would still have to be subtracted to get the payload?
I’m also curious how the battery will function in cold weather.
The other issue is cabovers went out of favor long ago. First on the scene in an accident. It’s unfortunate that the design failed to take into account psychological issues related to perceived power. The long nosed trucks have that in spades. The Nikola looks like one of the Kenworth anteaters on steroids.
It does have EPA avoidance going for it. The current trucks have issues related to emissions equipment that keep them in the shop more than acceptable. The Nikola takes the EPA out of the equation.