Nikola reveals new Badger electric truck; takes on Tesla Cybertruck

Electric mobility is going in the right direction with a host of automakers focusing on zero-emission passenger cars and trucks. Nikola Corporation has now revealed the concept of its first commercial vehicle, named as the Nikola Badger. It is said to bear electric powertrain options that Nikola is said to specialize in.

This Nikola Badger would be a direct competitor to the Tesla Cybertruck. The numbers given out for the Badger are more realistic and could put any other petrol or electric truck to shame, especially while considering towing capacity and driving range.

The Nikola Badger could make use of either a battery or a hydrogen fuel cell to power its electric motor. The motor is rated to produce 455 hp of continuous or 906 hp of peak power. A whopping 1,329 Nm of maximum torque is said to be on the cards. With such power coming from the electric drivetrain, it can handle launches of 0-160 kmph (0-100 mph) without much loss in the performance.

When it comes to the performance on the driving range, it offers different figures with its two energy supplying packs. The hydrogen fuel cell supplier pack will have a supercapacitor and a lithium-ion pack and would offer a combined driving range of up to 965 kilometers (600 miles). On the other hand, the 160kWh lithium-ion will offer up to 480 kilometers (298 miles) range.

The mechanism on the Badger FCEV could use the hydrogen fuel cell or li-ion battery with just the push of a button. The mechanism is built in a way that could even withstand temperatures as cold as -29-degree Celsius (-20-degree Farhenheit) without losing out on the performance.

The cabin of the Nikola Badger is luxurious and can be used as a 5-seater passenger car for weekend getaways as well. It is extremely comfortable and spacious with its double cabin setup. The biggest highlight of the cabin is its big tablet-sized center display donning the infotainment system. The side mirrors are replaced with cameras and have been shifted inside the cabin.

Since hydrogen fuel energy for electric vehicles is relatively newer, Nikola is looking to open 700 new hydrogen stations across North America. The production of the Badger would be outsourced to another OEM.

Also read: Elon Musk booms into the pickup truck segment with his Tesla CyberTruck