Nikola Corporation (Nasdaq: NKLA), a global leader in zero-emissions transportation solutions, marked the beginning of its commercial serial truck production of the Nikola Tre BEV (battery-electric vehicle), with a special ceremony today in Coolidge, Arizona. The event featured remarks from Nikola executives and Arizona Governor Doug Ducey and was attended by fleet customers, government officials, and Phoenix business leaders.
“We began production of the Tre BEV on March 21 here in Coolidge and today we’re celebrating this milestone and the initial shipments of trucks to our customers,” said Mark Russell, Nikola’s Chief Executive Officer. “In 2022, we’re moving forward with every aspect of our business. Next year, fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEV) are planned to be added to the manufacturing mix. We are focused on delivering vehicles and generating revenue.”
“Nikola has become a driving force in Arizona’s rapidly expanding electric vehicle industry,” said Governor Ducey. “Watching this innovative company grow and put down roots in Arizona has been truly incredible, and I know it’s only getting started. With the beginning of production at this manufacturing facility, Nikola is clearly in the driver’s seat of the future of transportation and commerce. Thank you to the entire Nikola team, Sandra Watson and the Arizona Commerce Authority, our partners at the legislature and local leaders for supporting this phenomenal project.”
Phase 1 of the Coolidge, Arizona manufacturing facility provides Nikola with a production capacity of 2,500 trucks. Construction of the Phase 2 assembly expansion area has begun and is expected to be completed in 2023 with a production capacity of up to 20,000-trucks per year on two shifts.
“With our world class universities and community colleges, Arizona has some of the best engineering and manufacturing talent in the country,” said Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “Nikola not only is a top employer in the region, they are attracting top tier suppliers to further grow Arizona’s robust electric vehicle supply chain. We are incredibly grateful to the entire Nikola team for choosing Arizona to help meet their vision and we are excited for the company’s bright future.”
On December 17, 2021, Nikola delivered the first two Nikola Tre BEVs to TTSI.
On January 24, 2022, Nikola began FCEV pilot operations with Anheuser-Busch. Two Nikola Tre FCEV alphas are undergoing a pilot in daily service within the brewer’s Southern California distribution network.
Nikola’s Ulm, Germany manufacturing facility on IVECO’s industrial complex is also complete. The facility is capable of a production capacity of 2,000 trucks per year and is expandable up to 10,000 trucks per year.