Together with E.ON, Nikola has signed a Letter of Intent with Richter Group to supply 20 Class 8, heavy-duty Nikola Tre hydrogen electric vehicles and the hydrogen needed to supply them – the latest in a slew of tie-ups and market developments.

Both companies intend to help Richter Group decarbonise its vehicle fleet by providing hydrogen electric trucks, green hydrogen and the refuelling infrastructure through the previously announced joint venture that is to be established in the upcoming weeks.

The first trucks are expected to be delivered in 2024. The group intends to transition their entire fleet to Nikola Tre hydrogen electric trucks over the next four to five years, and plans to work with their logistics partners to transition fleets to Nikola’s zero-emission vehicles, which could equate to an additional 750 hydrogen electric trucks within that same timeframe.

But the news was overshadowed by financial results showing net losses widening to $222m in the three months ending December 31.

Michael Lohscheller, CEO, said during the fourth quarter it strengthened commercial and sales operations, which is expected to lead to increased sales and accelerated customer deliveries – without directly referring to the market challenges and widening losses.

He said, “As a whole, we made significant progress on both the truck and energy infrastructure fronts. The advances we have made on battery charging and hydrogen solutions with strategic partners, and the unveiling of our hydrogen mobile fueler under the HYLA brand, will allow Nikola to provide fully integrated mobility solutions to customers for both the BEV and FCEV.”

The Richter Group provides individual logistics services comprising hub and direct transport solutions for courier, express and parcel clients. Located in Germany, it currently owns a fleet of over 160 diesel-powered trucks with loading and unloading points in the Netherlands, Belgium, France and the UK.

The Nikola Tre hydrogen electric trucks in the European 6×2 variant will be manufactured by the joint venture between Nikola and Iveco Group at their facility in Ulm, Germany.

Richter Group and its partners may acquire some or all Nikola Tre hydrogen electric vehicles through GATE – Green & Advanced Transport Ecosystem, IVECO’s all-inclusive electric truck rental model. IVECO will provide the essential maintenance and service functions.

E.ON will provide Richter Group with green hydrogen and develop the refuelling infrastructure to meet the needs of the hydrogen electric vehicles brought to market. The first refuelling solution within the scope of this project will be located on the premises of Richter Group in Wesel, Germany. Both hydrogen supply and logistics will be supplied though the Nikola and E.ON joint venture once it is officially established.

Lohscheller said the commitment from Richter Group is another example of how Nikola and E.ON are playing an essential role in helping Germany achieve the goal of decarbonising the transportation sector. He said, “Implementing the initial order of 20 heavy-duty zero-emission trucks in place of existing diesel trucks, equates to avoiding the annual CO2 emissions from approximately 600 passenger cars.”

Sylvio Richter, Founder and CEO of Richter Group said, “We plan to introduce the Nikola hydrogen electric trucks and other services of Nikola and E.ON to many of our partners to further promote and grow decarbonisation efforts in the European heavy-duty transport sector. This Letter of Intent is just the beginning.

“Through our technology subsidiary Sundronix, Richter Group will be working with Nikola and E.ON on technological solutions for the design and construction of a 700-bar refuelling infrastructure, hydrogen transport logistics, and hydrogen supply.”

With a range of up to 800km, the Nikola Tre hydrogen electric truck is expected to have among the longest ranges of all commercially available zero tailpipe emission Class 8 trucks while realising weight savings when compared to battery-electric Class 8 trucks with similar range.

The Tre hydrogen electric truck is well-suited for a variety of applications ranging from drayage and intermodal to metro-regional truckload and less than truckload to certain specialised hauling use cases.