Ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach welcome first Nikola battery-electric trucks

Nikola Corporation has delivered the first Nikola Tre battery-electric vehicle (BEV) pilot trucks to one of Southern California’s port trucking companies for use at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

Total Transportation Services Inc. (TTSI) welcomed the Nikola Tre BEV as part of its Letter of Intent (LOI) to use 100 zero-emission trucks by 2023.

The LOI is beginning with a four-truck pilot of two BEVs and two hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs).

Based on satisfactory completion of the vehicle trials and subject to TTSI obtaining certain government funding, 30 BEVs are projected to follow later in 2022, and 70 FCEVs are anticipated to start in 2023.

The Nikola Tre BEV is designed for local deliveries up to 350 miles.

The Nikola Tre FCEV truck is targeted for distances up to 500 miles and is expected to address the North American regional market, especially when additional hauling capacity or quick fueling are required by fleet operators.

According to TTSI, in any given month 13,000 to 14,000 trucks call at the Port of Los Angeles/Long Beach, emitting roughly 2,600 tons per year of smog-causing nitrogen-oxide emissions.

This location and transportation use case represent one of the largest opportunities in California to make a significant impact for the transition to sustainable transportation.

Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragán, who attended the 17 December ceremony, commented, “Reaching a zero-emission transportation future requires bold leadership and collaboration from federal, state, and local partners, along with major investments from the private sector.

“This is crucial for the health of people living in the communities near the ports in my district, who suffer higher rates of cancer, asthma and other respiratory diseases due to all the toxic diesel emissions coming from the equipment and trucks at the ports. I appreciate the commitment TTSI and Nikola have made at the Port of Los Angeles to a cleaner, safer future.”

European ports are also planning to utilise Nikola’s trucks. In September 2021, Nikola and IVECO signed an MoU with the Hamburg Port Authority to deliver up to 25 Nikola Tre BEVs for delivery to the port throughout 2022.

https://www.porttechnology.org/news/ports-of-los-angeles-long-beach-welcome-first-nikola-battery-electric-trucks/