California Fleets, Buy Your New Nikola Trucks Today

There you go, up to $288k in incentives for each truck.

MAX Range: 330 miles
Charge time: 90 minutes
Horsepower: 645

So, how many will jump on this money and take the risk?

If you operated in California, would you be tempted?



The Nikola Tre battery-electric vehicle (BEV) and Tre fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV) are both eligible for HVIP vouchers, making Nikola the first manufacturer to offer both battery and hydrogen-powered Class 8 trucks available through this incentive program.

Created to support the transition from diesel to zero-emission transportation, California’s Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) reduces the total cost of ownership on hybrid and zero-emission vehicles in the state of California.

Customers of the Nikola Tre FCEV can access a point-of-sale incentive starting at $240,000 and ranging up to $288,000 per truck in 2023. The Tre FCEV is available for order now, with delivery expected in the second half of 2023.

The Nikola Tre BEV qualified for HVIP in 2022 and continues to be eligible in 2023 for an incentive valued at $120,000 per truck, and up to $150,000 for drayage fleets. Customers can contact a Nikola dealer to schedule a test drive and purchase a Tre BEV now. HVIP vouchers are available to California fleets on a first come, first served basis. Sign up today to connect with one of our HVIP approved dealers to begin the application process.

Nikola Tre HVIP

Contact us and we'll guide you through the application process to secure an HVIP voucher toward the purchase of a Nikola Tre BEV or Tre FCEV.

promotions.nikolamotor.com

 

[Electric Chicken]

I'd rather leave California but if I was stuck there, I'd go for it.

 

[Mike]

I'd rather leave California but if I was stuck there, I'd go for it.

It would be hard to at least not "consider" it. The obvious target here is intermodal/drayage work but one would also have to consider it for other local/regional type work if charging stations are available.

Per truck, and companies possibly buying multiple trucks, this potentially puts competitors at a major disadvantage. I could see larger fleets making large purchases here and saving millions. Millions that could be used to undercut the smaller competition and push them out of business.

 

[Electric Chicken]

It would be hard to at least not "consider" it. The obvious target here is intermodal/drayage work but one would also have to consider it for other local/regional type work if charging stations are available.

Per truck, and companies possibly buying multiple trucks, this potentially puts competitors at a major disadvantage. I could see larger fleets making large purchases here and saving millions. Millions that could be used to undercut the smaller competition and push them out of business.

Yeah I should have clarified I'd have to look at the fine print and the catches but that's too much money not to at least look into it.

I don't like all the government handouts and rebates and such but I'm not stupid enough to ignore them if I qualify.

 

[Electric Chicken]

Since it's California you can't run a truck made before 2010 anyway so if you're being required to replace it, you may as well make the state that's forcing it compensate you as much as possible.

 

[Duck]

The same horde of evil politicians who are waging treasonous economic warfare on us, wins a small victory every time someone buys this kind of needlessly complicated, ridiculously expensive, unproven, experimental vehicles.

That being said, looking at it from a strictly pragmatic viewpoint, if it actually performs as advertised & has a full, unlimited, transferable 500,000 mile warranty, I can see it being used for shuttling cans back & forth between the ports and drop yards at the nearest state line, an operation that would be completely unnecessary if the feds hadn't allowed California to adopt their own emissions requirements.

Maybe California will adopt their own HOS rules too like Alaska did, to allow for these 90 minute charging times when they go beyond their "point of no return" on their battery range.

 

[Mike]

The same horde of evil politicians who are waging treasonous economic warfare on us, wins a small victory every time someone buys this kind of needlessly complicated, ridiculously expensive, unproven, experimental vehicles.

That being said, looking at it from a strictly pragmatic viewpoint, if it actually performs as advertised & has a full, unlimited, transferable 500,000 mile warranty, I can see it being used for shuttling cans back & forth between the ports and drop yards at the nearest state line, an operation that would be completely unnecessary if the feds hadn't allowed California to adopt their own emissions requirements.

Maybe California will adopt their own HOS rules too like Alaska did, to allow for these 90 minute charging times when they go beyond their "point of no return" on their battery range.

Political rants aside,

If you are going to have a local trucking business in California, given these incentives, would you be tempted to make the purchase?

Make a business decision, not a political stand, and think about how you will be profitable if your competitors have significantly lower operating costs.

 

[Electric Chicken]

Political rants aside,

If you are going to have a local trucking business in California, given these incentives, would you be tempted to make the purchase?

Make a business decision, not a political stand, and think about how you will be profitable if your competitors have significantly lower operating costs.

Yeah you need to use math as a business.

 

[Electric Chicken]

If I ran every day the way I ran Saturday and needed a new truck regardless, I could make a strong case in favor of this. What I ran was almost Chicago-like. A bunch of short hops less than 15 miles each, more time dropping and hooking than driving. Less than 200 miles all in.

The shorter it is, the more money I make as long as there's enough of it. Problem is right now there isn't much of it, and it's not good for the emissions system.

EV truck would have been ideal.

 

[Electric Chicken]

The same horde of evil politicians who are waging treasonous economic warfare on us, wins a small victory every time someone buys this kind of needlessly complicated, ridiculously expensive, unproven, experimental vehicles.

Arguably, they could be considered simpler based on the fewer moving parts, liquids, and emissions.

It's not like everyone is out there running a Cummins Big Cam.

 

[krelithous]

I'd rather leave California but if I was stuck there, I'd go for it.

Fuel cell is where the tech will be!!! I am curious about charging stations how many there are

 

[krelithous]

It would be hard to at least not "consider" it. The obvious target here is intermodal/drayage work but one would also have to consider it for other local/regional type work if charging stations are available.

Per truck, and companies possibly buying multiple trucks, this potentially puts competitors at a major disadvantage. I could see larger fleets making large purchases here and saving millions. Millions that could be used to undercut the smaller competition and push them out of business.

Where's all of the rebate money coming from last I knew ca was broke

 

[Mike]

Where's all of the rebate money coming from last I knew ca was broke

It's coming from California, doesn't really matter where or how. If they are subsidizing the purchase, would you consider it for any operation in California? Or, will you choose to make a traditional purchase (full price) and simply compete with those who are using this program and buying these trucks?

 

[Duck]

Make a business decision, not a political stand

This is the kind of thinking that got us where we're at today. They know they can get away with anything because very few people do take a stand.

Now let's take a look back.

Every single solitary government required piece of useless tech added to vehicles during my lifetime & even earlier, was complete garbage for up to a decade until the engineers finally figured out how to make it actually function reliably.

The engineers are forced to COMPLY first, - who gives a crap about quality when the tyrants in Washington will shut them down if they don't meet targets - then worry about making the damn things run properly over the next few years, letting their customers do their product testing for them.

It's gonna be the same thing with these trucks we're talking about.

What is the primary goal for the EV engineers? Range. They've already got performance figured out. But they've got such shitty range that at this point they brag about 300 measly stinkin' miles. My 24 year old minivan will go 400.

So what's the latest cutting edge technology you'll be buying? The batteries.

While they're leaps and bounds beyond the Ni-Cad crap of 80's, and regular lead-acid marine type batteries, they're still scratching their heads over why they spontaneously burst into white hot flames.

So looking at it from the perspective of a cowardly subject of California who says "how high?" every time the communist overlords tell them to jump, I wouldn't buy any type of electric truck at this point in time.

As an independent business owner, you already know that major breakdowns are expensive, even when they're under warranty.

And ask @Injun how fun it is to try to escape a burning truck.

 

[Mike]

This is the kind of thinking that got us where we're at today. They know they can get away with anything because very few people do take a stand.

Now let's take a look back.

Every single solitary government required piece of useless tech added to vehicles during my lifetime & even earlier, was complete garbage for up to a decade until the engineers finally figured out how to make it actually function reliably.

The engineers are forced to COMPLY first, - who gives a crap about quality when the tyrants in Washington will shut them down if they don't meet targets - then worry about making the damn things run properly over the next few years, letting their customers do their product testing for them.

It's gonna be the same thing with these trucks we're talking about.

What is the primary goal for the EV engineers? Range. They've already got performance figured out. But they've got such shitty range that at this point they brag about 300 measly stinkin' miles. My 24 year old minivan will go 400.

So what's the latest cutting edge technology you'll be buying? The batteries.

While they're leaps and bounds beyond the Ni-Cad crap of 80's, and regular lead-acid marine type batteries, they're still scratching their heads over why they spontaneously burst into white hot flames.

So looking at it from the perspective of a cowardly subject of California who says "how high?" every time the communist overlords tell them to jump, I wouldn't buy any type of electric truck at this point in time.

As an independent business owner, you already know that major breakdowns are expensive, even when they're under warranty.

And ask @Injun how fun it is to try to escape a burning truck.

Then I will put you down on the list of those what will choose to compete in the intermodal/drayage markets in California without taking advantage of the purchasing assistance for the Nikola trucks. But thanks for adding that you are putting zero business thought into this decision.

 

[Rigjockey]

Maybe I missed it but, what is the total cost of an EV truck before the rebate?

A ICE highway truck is around 200,000 no rebate. If they are offering a rebate of 120,000-150,000, That can only be IMO a fraction of the price.

I am not saying I wouldn't take that offer given but, Todays ICE truck with DPF are broke down half the time and the parts supply chain issues, coupled with the backups at shops and the lack of techs these days....electric maybe the way to go. Unless it breaks and then you have to wait on parts find a capable shop and tech and could be expensive if it is a battery related issue unless it is under warranty, even still, you have that down time, Waiting on parts, techs and shop time.

 

[Mike]

Maybe I missed it but, what is the total cost of an EV truck before the rebate?

A ICE highway truck is around 200,000 no rebate. If they are offering a rebate of 120,000-150,000, That can only be IMO a fraction of the price.

I am not saying I wouldn't take that offer given but, Todays ICE truck with DPF are broke down half the time and the parts supply chain issues, coupled with the backups at shops and the lack of techs these days....

Best I can find is a "range" for Nikola which is $300-$400k. Not sure which one is more expensive. One is battery electric, the other on is a hydrogen electric model. The Hydrogen has more range.

 

[Duck]

But thanks for adding that you are putting zero business thought into this decision

I assumed you were familiar with the lost revenue costs that occur when your truck takes a big dump on you, like that T-660 glider you had.

Yeah, zero business thought goes into "um, nope, I'm not going to stake my entire business on untested, unproven technology that history shows is ALWAYS unreliable for the first few years."

 

[Mike]

Battery/Electric model (BEV) is offering a $150k. The hydrogen model is the one offering $288k. Both cheaper than the electric optoins of the big name trucking manufacturers

 

[Duck]

I am not saying I wouldn't take that offer given but, Todays ICE truck with DPF are broke down half the time and the parts supply chain issues, coupled with the backups at shops and the lack of techs these days....

Yeah so let's buy a truck that nobody outside of silicon valley knows how to work on.