Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/696174
"receive an allowance of 100,000 gallons of compressed natural gas (CNG) to be utilized at any NMC fueling station by the specific truck purchased." Nikola One's fully electric 335 horse- power motor features a dual gear reduction at every wheel (6×6). Com- bined, the truck outputs more than 2,000 horsepower and 3,700-plus ft. lbs. of torque before gear reduction, and nearly 86,000 ft. lbs. of torque after gear reduction. "Torque is instant with an electric motor," Milton says. "There is a short window of RPM that you can get good torque from a diesel en- gine. The electric motor is basically providing 100 percent torque all the time." The first-of-its-kind independent sus- pension system, based on Meritor's all-wheel drive ProTec High Mobil- ity Independent Suspension, reduces vibration and boosts ride quality and a unique steering geometry improves tracking, centering feel and intuitive feedback. By removing the diesel engine and transmission, and manufacturing the cab out of lighter carbon fiber panels, the truck builder says it was able to install many of Nikola One's heaviest components at or below the frame rail, lowering the center of gravity and improving safety. "Nikola One actually weighs about 2,000 pounds less than a regular diesel (21,000 pounds)," he says, "because we removed engine, the transmission, the drivetrain and all the liquids that go in those. All the batteries actually weigh less than the diesel engine does alone." Additional benefits of removing the diesel engine, Milton says, include the reduction in greenhouse gas emis- sions, a larger and more aerodynamic cab and a quieter and more comfort- able ride. Without a transmission, the only thing needed to make the Nikola One go or stop is the electric pedal and brake pedal. "No shifting whatsoever," Milton says, adding Nikola One's simplified operation will open up the line haul market to a new group of drivers. Nikola One's electric motors are powered by a liquid cooled lithium- ion battery pack, which is charged by an onboard turbine. The fuel-ag- nostic turbine automatically charges the batteries when needed, eliminat- ing the need to plug in the unit. The turbine, Milton says, burns about 25 gallons of fuel per hour and, when coupled with the batteries, gives the truck a range of about 1,200 miles between stops and fill ups. Going downhill, the Nikola One's six electric motors absorb the braking energy normally lost and deliver it back to the batteries. Because there is an electric motor at each wheel, the Nikola One's soft- ware provides dynamic control to each wheel. Torque vectoring con- trols the speed and torque of each of the six wheels independent of each 8 www.bigrigowner.com J U LY 2 0 1 6 Cover Story