Nikola claims game-changing battery soon

Nikola Corporation has announced details of a new battery that could increase the range of current EV passenger cars from 300 miles (480km) up to 600 miles (960km) with little or no increase to battery size and weight.

Further, Nikola claims the technology could see its hydrogen-electric fuel cell trucks surpass 1000 miles (1600km) between stops and top off in 15 minutes

The technology is also designed to operate in existing vehicles, and cycling the cells over 2000 times has shown acceptable end-of-life performance.

Nikola says its new cell technology is environmentally friendly and easy to recycle. While conventional lithium-ion cells contain elements that are toxic and expensive, the new technology will have a positive impact on the earth’s resources, landfills and recycling plants.

This month, Nikola entered into a letter of intent to acquire a world-class battery engineering team to help bring the new battery to pre-production. Through this acquisition, Nikola will add 15 PhDs and five master’s degree team members. Due to confidentiality and security reasons, additional details of the acquisition will not be disclosed until Nikola World 2020.

“This is the biggest advancement we have seen in the battery world,” said Trevor Milton, CEO, Nikola Motor Company. “We are not talking about small improvements. We are talking about doubling the range of BEVs and hydrogen-electric vehicles around the world.”

“Nikola is in discussions with customers for truck orders that could fill production slots for more than ten years and propel Nikola to become the top truck manufacturer in the world in terms of revenue. Now the question is why not share it with the world?” said Milton.

Nikola will show the batteries charging and discharging in front of the crowd at Nikola World. The date of Nikola World will be announced soon but is expected to be in the American Autumn of 2020.

Due to the impact this technology will have on society and emissions, Nikola has decided to share the intellectual property (IP) with other OEMs, even competitors, that contribute to the Nikola IP license and new consortium.