The FCEV trucks are expected to be delivered to Ontario, California, in late 2024, and are projected to rack up over 100,000 miles per year in order to support round-the-clock operations.

Each Tre FCEV is said to have a range of up to 500 miles on one tank and an estimated fuelling time of less than 20 minutes.

Michael Lohscheller, Nikola President and CEO, said, “These initial 15 Nikola Tre FCEV are part of Biagi Bros commitment to transition their fleet to zero-emissions. In addition, the trucks will be fuelled at the previously announced hydrogen station in Ontario.”

To support the growing demand for hydrogen-powered trucks, Nikola announced its planning to develop three hydrogen dispensing stations located in Ontario, Colton and the Port of Long Beach, Los Angeles.

Read more: Nikola reveals locations of three Californian hydrogen dispensing stations

The company recently received a California Air Resources Board (CARB) Zero-Emission Powertrain Executive Order, which is requirement for the Nikola Tre FCEV to be eligible for CARB’s Hybrid and Zero Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP).

Upon HVIP approval, purchasers of the Tre FCEV may be able to qualify for California’s state-based incentive valued at $240,000 per truck, $270,000 per truck for drayage fleets or up to $288,000 per truck for fleets with 10 or less trucks performing drayage operations and located in a disadvantaged community.

Along with the funding provided by HVIP, purchasers will also qualify for an additional $40,000 clean commercial vehicle tax credit in 2023 from the federal government, due to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

Read more: Win for hydrogen in the US – Inflation Reduction Act to become law

Earlier this month, Nikola developed a heavy-duty, 700 bar hydrogen mobile refueller for hydrogen FCEVs, which includes its own mobile fuelers and several third party mobile fuellers that will provide customers with a variety of flexible fuelling options.

Nikola’s mobile refueler has completed commissioning and testing and is set to be commissioned in the first quarter of this year.

The American company also signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with German system provider GP Joule for the order of 100 Class 8, heavy duty Tre FCEVs, expected to be delivered in 2024.

Read more: Nikola unveils mobile hydrogen refuellers for FCEVs

Read more: Nikola and and Iveco sign LoI with GP Joule for 100 FCEVs

Andrea Biagi, President of Biagi Bros, said, “After logging more than 12,000 miles, we are extremely pleased with the performance and specification of the trucks, and we are ready to move forward to officially build our zero-emission fleet later this year.”