GM partners with Nikola to build Badger ute

General Motors has confirmed it will team up with pure-electric vehicle start-up, Nikola, to build its all-new battery-powered Badger pick-up truck.

As part of the deal, GM will lend Nikola its next-generation Ultium battery technology and Hydrotec fuel-cell knowhow in return for a US$2 billion (A$2.8bn) equity stake – equivalent to an 11 per cent stake in the Arizona-based start-up.

The arrangement with Nikola, GM says, will see the fledgling electric truck-maker remain responsible for sales and marketing, while GM will carry out the final engineering, homologation and validation for sales in global markets.

There's no indication that GM plans to rebrand the Badger as a GMC or Chevrolet, but it's thought the deal could give the US car-maker access to the pure-electric and hydrogen fuel-cell pick-up's advanced platform.

The Badger is due to be released in North America in 2023, and while the retail strategy is still to be revealed, it's thought the new partnership could give Nikola access to General Motors' newly formed GMSV (General Motors Special Vehicles) operation in Australia.

The Nikola has already confirmed that the Badger is in line for sale in Australia from about 2023.

This new deal could see the Badger sold through GM's forthcoming national dealer network in Australia that will be launched later this year, kicking off with the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and following up with the Silverado 2500 and mid-engined C8 Corvette supercar next year.

Measuring in at 5890mm long, 2180mm wide and 1870mm high, the Badger has been created to rival the Tesla Cybertruck and Rivian R1T.

It will also face stiff opposition from the similarly sized Ford F-150 Electric, although the Badger's chief target, Nikola claims, is to "take down" the Ford Raptor, which is a large hint at its performance aspirations.

Unveiled in February this year, the Badger's headline news was that it would combine a range of up to 965km with the ability to hit 100km/h in around 3.0 seconds.

The pick-up features electric motors that produce 675kW of power and 1350Nm of torque. This peak output is only available during launch control, with the Badger pumping out around 340kW during normal operation to avoid battery drain.

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Unusually, the Badger is also available with a range-extending hydrogen fuel-cell that can be added any time after purchase.

With the GM-sourced fuel-cell, it's thought the Badger will have a pure-electric range of around 480km.

The big ute will also be fitted with a 15kW outlet to charge tools and power lights and compressors, which is claimed to be enough to power a construction site for approximately 12 hours without a generator.

Sadly, when it arrives in Australia in 2023, the Badger won't be cheap.

In the US, the truck would cost between $US60,000 and $US90,000, which translates to $A90,000 to $A135,000 – with the top models set to command a premium of around $20,000 over the range-topping Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ that's converted locally by HSV and sells for $113,990 (plus on-roads).

In the US the Nikola Badger can be pre-ordered by placing a $100 deposit.

Nikola says the tie-up will also see cost reductions flow through to its other vehicle programs, including its line of electric trucks: the Nikola One, Nikola Two and Nikola Tre.

"The agreement with Nikola extends General Motors' utilisation of its fuel cell technology to the Class 7/8 semi-truck market and represents a high-volume commercialisation of its leading Hydrotec fuel cell system and complements the company's battery-electric propulsion," states a Nikola press release.

"Fuel cells will become increasingly important to the semi-truck market because they are more efficient than gas or diesel. General Motors sees additional growth opportunities in multiple transportation, stationary and mobile-power end markets."