Blended electric truck uses batteries and hydrogen for 600 mile range
Hydrogen truck pioneer Nikola has launched an electric pickup truck with an estimated range of 600 miles by ‘blending’ power from a fuel cell and a lithium ion battery pack.
The Badger will be built in conjunction with another OEM using their certified parts and manufacturing facilities. A 160kWh lithium-ion battery provides a 300 mile range in the battery-only version, while the 120 kW fuel cell boost the range to 600 miles. A supercapacitor ‘Launch Assist’ module blends the power from the lithium ion pack and the fuel cell. It can also operate in low temperatures down to -28ºC without major performance or state of charge (SOC) losses.
The electric pickup will also have a 15kW power outlet for tools, lights and compressors, which is enough power to assist a construction site for approximately 12 hours without a generator.
The Badger was designed to handle 0-100 mph launches with minimal loss of performance and to operate on a hill of 40 percent through software blending of batteries and fuel-cell at the push of a button in the cab..
“Nikola has billions worth of technology in our semi-truck program, so why not build it into a pickup truck?” said Trevor Milton, CEO of Nikola. “I have been working on this pickup program for years and believe the market is now ready for something that can handle a full day’s worth of work without running out of energy. This electric truck can be used for work, weekend getaways, towing, off-roading or to hit the ski slopes without performance loss. No other electric pickup can operate in these temperatures and conditions.”
“The Nikola Badger is a game changer. The program will help drive down the cost of the fuel-cell components on our semi-truck while accelerating the hydrogen station rollout. Giving customers the option to order a fuel-cell or battery electric version will ensure we drive the cost down for everyone across our lineup,” said Mark Russell, president of Nikola.
The company is planning to roll out a network of 700 hydrogen filling stations across the US, and the Badger will be demonstrated in September.
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