Three E-Tractors from Nikola Start Test Operations in Hamburg Port

At the launch of the first three Nikola Tre, Michael Westhagemann, Senator for Economic Affairs and Innovation in Hamburg, Jens Meier, Chairman of the Management Board of the Hamburg Port Authority, Christian Sulser, Board Member of Iveco Magirus AG, and Michael Lohscheller, President of Nikola Corporation were present.

(Hamburg) The festive ceremony was attended by numerous invited guests, including representatives from politics and the press, representatives from various energy companies and associations, as well as from the freight forwarding and logistics sector.

In September 2021, IVECO, the commercial vehicle brand of the Iveco Group, and NIKOLA Corporation (Nasdaq: NKLA), a global leader in zero-emission transport and energy infrastructure solutions, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) on the occasion of the opening of their joint production facility in Ulm. The agreement governs a two-phase test run and the delivery of up to 25 Nikola Tre BEV tractors to freight forwarders in the Hamburg port.

The Hamburg Port Authority signed the MoU with IVECO and Nikola with the aim of quickly establishing a zero-emission port and being a pioneer in the application of technical innovations. Against this background, the port will focus on the zero-emission Nikola Tre BEV heavy-duty tractors in the area of transport and logistics. The first phase begins with the three Nikola Tre BEV, which involves a three-month test operation of the vehicles along with various charging options. In the second phase of the project partnership, the full integration of the BEV vehicles into port operations and the installation of charging infrastructure and related services will take place in 2023, involving key suppliers. The vehicles targeted for the second phase are the European 4×2 variant of the Nikola Tre BEV, which will have its premiere at the IAA TRANSPORTATION 2022.

Delivery of the first Nikola Tre: Jens Meier (CEO of the Hamburg Port Authority), Senator Michael Westhagemann, Michael Lohscheller (President of Nikola Corporation), Christian Sulser (Board Member of Iveco Magirus AG)

Testing the Charging Infrastructure

“The first phase serves to demonstrate zero-emission container transport in the Hamburg port on public roads, to acquire the first customers, and to test charging infrastructure and processes, as well as to generate further project content and ideas for the continuation of the project,” says Christian Sulser, Board Member for Sales & Marketing at Iveco Magirus AG. “At the start of the project, we will use mobile chargers, but we are also already examining suitable locations for a fast-charging infrastructure.”

Ports Play a Role in Decarbonization

“I am pleased that today we are taking the step towards realizing our joint plans that began two years ago with the first three battery-electric Nikola Tre BEV tractors,” says Jens Meier, Chairman of the Management Board of the Hamburg Port Authority. “Ports play a crucial role in decarbonization and air quality improvement. Therefore, it is important for us to do everything we can to contribute and take on a pioneering and exemplary role.”

“Strong partners like the Hamburg port are further proof that the Nikola Tre BEV is the right truck for companies that want to do more than just talk about climate change,” says Michael Lohscheller, President of Nikola Corporation. “These demo vehicles are evidence that companies can truly make a difference for our planet by using zero-emission vehicles in their fleets.”

Completely Newly Designed Electric Vehicle

The NIKOLA TRE BEV is a purebred and completely newly designed electric vehicle that rolls off the production line at a specially built facility in Ulm. The Nikola Tre BEV is powered by an eAxle developed and produced by FPT Industrial. Two electric motors mounted on the drive axle deliver 480 kW or 653 hp of continuous power to the road. The maximum wheel torque is 38,000 Nm.

Photos: © Hamburg Port Authority / Andreas Schmidt-Wiethoff