Anheuser-Busch Orders 800 Nikola Hydrogen-Electric Trucks
Anheuser-Busch has placed an order for up to 800 hydrogen-electric heavy-duty trucks from Nikola Motor Co. as part of a plan to convert its entire dedicated fleet to renewable power by 2025.

Nikola's hydrogen-electric truck technology got a major endorsement from Anheuser-Busch in the form of an order for up to 800 trucks. Illustration: Nikola
Photo: Anheuser-Busch
Anheuser-Busch has placed an order for up to 800 hydrogen-electric heavy-duty trucks from Nikola Motor Co. as part of a plan to convert its entire dedicated fleet to renewable power by 2025.
The zero-emission trucks — which will be able to travel between 500 and 1,200 miles and be refilled within 20 minutes, reducing idle time — are expected to be integrated into Anheuser-Busch’s dedicated fleet beginning in 2020.
It will also help Nikola build out its hydrogen-fueling network. “All of our stations will be open to all our fleets,” Nikola spokesperson Colleen Robar told HDT. “But this order helps us get 28 stations operating on key Anheuser Busch routes.”
Through this agreement, Anheuser-Busch aims to convert its entire long-haul dedicated fleet to renewable powered trucks by 2025. Nikola’s technology will enable the brewer to achieve this milestone across its long-haul loads, while also helping to improve road safety through the trucks’ advanced surround viewing system, according to an announcement from the two companies.
“At Anheuser-Busch we’re continuously searching for ways to improve sustainability across our entire value chain and drive our industry forward,” said Michel Doukeris, CEO of Anheuser-Busch. “The transport industry is one that is ripe for innovative solutions, and Nikola is leading the way with hydrogen-electric, zero-emission capabilities. We are very excited by the possibilities our partnership with them can offer.”
Trevor Milton, CEO of Nikola, noted that "Anheuser-Busch has a long history of investing in progressive, sustainable technology, and we are excited to partner with them to bring the largest hydrogen network in the world to the USA. By 2028, we anticipate having over 700 hydrogen stations across the USA and Canada. With nearly $9 billion in pre-order reservations, we are building to order, not speculation, and are very excited for what’s to come.”
About a month ago, Sweden-based Nel ASA, which Nikola tapped late last year to be the equipment supplier for its planned network of hydrogen refuelling stations, announced it had received an additional order from Nikola in the wake of a deal with a major fleet.
“The Nikola hydrogen electric semi-trucks will begin testing with fleets in 2019 and begin full production in 2021,” Milton said as part of that announcement, noting that the then-undisclosed deal with A-B would require an additional 28 stations to go up on top of the previous Nel purchase order.
Anheuser-Busch had previously ordered 40 Tesla electric Semi tractors.
The partnership with Nikola will contribute to Anheuser-Busch’s recently announced 2025 Sustainability Goals, which include reducing CO2 emissions by 25% across its value chain. Once fully implemented, the carbon reductions gained from these 800 trucks will reduce the brewer’s carbon emissions from logistics by more than 18% — equivalent to taking more than 13,000 passenger vehicles off the road annually.
Emission reduction has, and continues to be, a long-term focus for Anheuser-Busch. In 2006, the brewer joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay Transport program; and since 2008, has reduced its total energy use in U.S. breweries by more than 30%.
Related: Watch Nikola Hydrogen Fuel Cell Truck on the Road
More Equipment

PlusAI Going Public to Fund Autonomous Truck Launch
A SPAC deal could provide PlusAI with up to $300 million as it works toward a 2027 commercial launch of factory-built autonomous trucks.
Read More →
NHTSA Moves to Rewrite Truck Fuel-Economy Rules
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it lacks authority to regulate medium- and heavy-duty truck engines separately from complete vehicles, but the existing standards have not yet been eliminated.
Read More →
Detroit Opens Orders for EPA 2027 Engines
Detroit isn’t starting from scratch to meet EPA 2027 diesel emissions standards. Its Gen 6 DD13 and DD15 engines keep much of today’s platform while updating the fuel and aftertreatment systems.
Read More →
Carrier Transicold Adds All-Electric TRU for Stationary Cold Storage
Carrier Transicold’s new Vector 8200 all-electric transport refrigeration unit gives fleets a diesel-free option for temporary refrigerated and frozen trailer storage.
Read More →A Closer Look at Kenworth’s Electric T880E Vocational Truck [Video]
Learn more about Kenworth's T880E battery-electric vocational truck at the Paccar Technical Center, including its range, applications, upfitting considerations, and PTO options, in this HDT Spotlight video.
Read More →
Kenworth T880E Brings EV Power to Vocational Trucks
A closer look at the Kenworth T880E’s range, charging, powertrain and upfit options — and where fleets are showing the most interest.
Read More →
What the U.S.-Canada Trade War Means for Trucking
Escalating U.S.-Canada tariffs could disrupt cross-border freight, reduce truck volumes, raise costs, and create new uncertainty for carriers on both sides of the border.
Read More →
Autonomous Truck Testing Moves Ahead in California as Teamsters Challenge Rules
California has begun permitting heavy-duty autonomous truck testing, with Aurora and Kodiak among the first to receive approval, as the Teamsters sue the DMV over the new regulations.
Read More →Behind the Wheel of the New Mack Anthem [Video]
HDT takes the new Mack Anthem around Mack’s Pennsylvania test track to see how its driver-focused design, technology, visibility and handling perform from behind the wheel.
Read More →
DTNA Plans New U.S. Truck Plant as Manufacturing Footprint Shifts
Daimler Truck North America is evaluating sites for a new assembly plant expected to open in 2029 while winding down operations at its longtime Portland manufacturing facility.
Read More →
