One of Southern California’s port trucking companies has received the first Nikola Tre battery-electric vehicle (BEV) pilot trucks for usage at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
The Nikola Tre BEV was welcomed by Total Transportation Services Inc. (TTSI) as part of its Letter of Intent (LOI) to utilize 100 zero-emission trucks by 2023. The letter of intent (LOI) will begin with a four truck pilot consisting of two BEVs and two hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs). 30 BEVs are expected to arrive later in 2022, and 70 FCEVs are expected to arrive in 2023, providing the vehicle testing are successful and TTSI receives certain government financing.
The Nikola Tre BEV is intended for deliveries within a 350-miles. The Nikola Tre FCEV truck is designed to go up to 500 miles and is aimed at the North American regional market, particularly when fleet operators demand increased hauling capacity or quick fueling.
According to TTSI, 13,000 to 14,000 trucks pass through the Port of Los Angeles/Long Beach each month, generating around 2,600 tons of smog-causing nitrogen oxide every year.
This location and transportation use case offer one of California’s most significant chances to contribute to the transition to sustainable mobility.
“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.” said Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragan, who attended the 17 December ceremony.
Nikola’s trucks will also be used in European ports. Nikola and IVECO signed an agreement with the Hamburg Port Authority in September 2021 to deliver up to 25 Nikola Tre BEVs to the port over the course of 2022.
