Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Hybrid-Electric Class 8 Truck Scores Zero Emissions in Testing

Nikola Motor Company’s advanced research and development team says it has achieved 100% zero emissions on the company’s hybrid-electric Class 8 truck, the Nikola One.

by Staff
August 2, 2016
Hybrid-Electric Class 8 Truck Scores Zero Emissions in Testing

The Nikola One concept truck Image: Nikola Motors

2 min to read


The Nikola One concept truck Image: Nikola Motors

Nikola Motor Company’s advanced research and development team says it has achieved 100% zero emissions on the company’s hybrid-electric Class 8 truck, the Nikola One.

Nikola announced the Nikola One earlier this year, offering reservations for the as-yet-unreleased vehicle for $1,500 in a move similar to Tesla’s reservation system for its upcoming Model 3.

Ad Loading...

Nikola's vehicle will be powered by a turbine and electric motor hybrid drivetrain that can develop a total of 2,000 hp and 3,700-lb-ft of torque and achieve a range of up to 1,200 miles on a full tank.

"While other companies have recently announced battery-powered semi-trucks, those trucks are restricted to a range of only a couple hundred miles and four to eight hours of charging between stops," said Trevor Milton, Nikola founder and CEO.

“We are not aware of any zero emission truck in the world that can haul 80,000 pounds more than 1,000 miles and do it without stopping," he added. "The Nikola One requires only 15 minutes of downtime before heading out for the next 1,000 miles."

Ad Loading...

The company said that so far, it has received more than 7,000 truck reservations with deposits. The Nikola One truck leasing program costs $4,000 to $5,000 per month, depending on truck configuration and options. The first million miles of fuel under the lease is included with each truck sale, said Nikola.

The company plans to officially unveil the working electric truck prototype on Dec. 2 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

In addition to the zero emission semi-truck, Nikola has initiated the first steps to manufacture emission-free power plants that range from 50 kilowatts to 50 megawatts, to cut power generation costs. Nikola believes this technology "not only has the ability to transform America's roadways, but how the world will migrate towards zero-emission energy going forward."

"Imagine what this could do for the air in every city in America,” said Milton. “We knew our emissions would be low, but to have the ability to achieve true zero emissions is revolutionary for the worldwide trucking industry.”

More Fleet Management

Geotab screen on AI concept background
Fleet ManagementJune 17, 2026

What Geotab's New AI Connector Means for Fleets

Fleets can now ask their usual AI assistants questions about maintenance, safety, fuel use, and vehicle performance, using their live Geotab data, and take action on the answers without leaving their preferred AI tool.

Read More →
Image of computer screen with BidBoardX interface

New C.H. Robinson Tool Opens Door to More Predictable Freight

BidBoardX lets carriers search, bid on, and secure committed freight opportunities through a single digital marketplace.

Read More →
Amazon electric cargo bike on New York City street
Fleet ManagementJune 15, 2026

New York City's Microhub Project is Delivering Results

Trucking, last-mile delivery companies, and environmental advocates like what they are seeing so far with New York's microhub program.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Illustration of hourglass and trucks backed up to a dock
DriversJune 15, 2026

Why Truck Detention Keeps Costing Fleets Time and Money

A 2024 ATRI study found detention affects nearly 40% of truckload stops and costs the industry more than $15 billion annually. Despite the toll on drivers, fleets, and supply chains, the problem remains stubbornly persistent.

Read More →
Panel discussion
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJune 12, 2026

Time is Running Out to Apply for Exclusive HDT Event

Heavy Duty Trucking Exchange brings fleet managers and suppliers together for the deeper conversations that lead to ideas, partnerships, and solutions. Time is running out to apply for the September event.

Read More →
Empty trailer with worker loading a pallet of cargo
Fleet ManagementJune 10, 2026

Amazon Launches Less-Than-Truckload Freight Offering for All Businesses   

This launch is the latest addition to Amazon Supply Chain Services, a portfolio of supply chain capabilities from Amazon, including freight, distribution, fulfillment, and parcel shipping.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Stacks of intermodal containers at port with truck driving between them

Import Cargo Volume to See Year-Over-Year Gain Again in June, Then Remain Below 2025 Levels Into Fall

After July, the report predicts a weakening in import volume as consumer uncertainty remains high and the impact of increasing inflation takes its toll.

Read More →
Equity Interest Auction
SponsoredJune 8, 2026

AUCTION OF EQUITY INTEREST IN HEAVY HAUL TRUCKING COMPANY!!

Mark your calendar: June 30, 2026 (10:00 a.m. PDT). A 37.5% ownership interest in MagnaTrans, LLC, a California limited liability company doing business as Magna Transportation Group, will be sold in an in-person and online auction to the highest bidder or bidders under Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code. The Rancho Cucamonga-based heavy haul and over-dimensional trucking company operates across California, Oregon, and Arizona.

Read More →
Volvo OTA updates.

Volvo Trucks Adds Unattended Over-the-Air Software Update Capabilities

The latest evolution of Volvo’s over-the-air update technology allows software updates to run while trucks are parked, helping fleets keep vehicles current without disrupting operations.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Podcast thumbnail illustration
Fleet ManagementJune 4, 2026

How Waste Connections is Using Data, Telematics, and AI

How do you manage and maintain more than 18,000 connected trucks? Data. Lots of it.

Read More →