Nikola Two and Nikola Tre unveiled

Electric and fuel-cell vehicle specialist Nikola Motor Company has re-entered the spotlight, with two new clean-running trucks – the Nikola Two and Nikola Tre – breaking cover at the company's recent Nikola World event in the US.

The two new models, the Nikola Two a heavy-duty 'Class 8' bonneted truck and the Nikola Tre a cab-over model designed for the European market, were officially launched by company CEO Trevor Milton, alongside a number of other recreational and military-ready electric vehicles.

Both new electric truck models will be available in battery and hydrogen fuel cell versions, the company says.

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Founded in 2014, the Scottsdale (Arizona) based company caused a sensation when it first revealed its hydrogen-powered Nikola One in late 2016 – a zero-emissions heavy-duty truck the company initially claimed was capable of hauling 36 tonnes and with a range of up to 1600 kilometres.

Today Nikola says the Nikola One develops up to 1000hp and up to 2000ftlb and has a range of between 800 and 1200 kilometres, while fuelling its tanks with compressed hydrogen – which through a chemical reaction produces electricity which, in turn, powers its electric motors – takes just 15 minutes.

The company says it already has thousands of orders for the Nikola One, which it now says will become commercially available in 2022, instead of the original timing of 2020.

Whether or not Nikola will deliver on this revised promise remains to be seen, but judging by the appearance of the Nikola Two and Nikola Tre, along with the Nikola NZT (a recreational off-road UTV, or utility task vehicle) and Nikola Reckless UTV (what appears to be a military-grade sibling for the NTZ), and the never-before-seen Nikola WAV (or water adventure vehicle), it's full steam (or perhaps 'full electric power') ahead for the innovative company.

While Nikola says production dates for the two new truck models are still a little way off – 2022 for the Nikola Two and 2023 for the Nikola Tre – here's what the company has revealed about each…

Like the 6x4 Nikola One, the Nikola Two is also said to offer up to 1000hp and 2000ftlb, along with a range of between 800 and 1200 kilometres. Nikola says the Nikola Two, which has a smaller cab than the Nikolo One and is available in 6x2 and 6x4 formats, accelerates at twice the rate of a traditional diesel truck, and – also like the Nikola One – has a GCM of 36 tonnes. The hydrogen version will have an 80-litre tank while battery versions will be available in 500, 750 or 1000kWh variants.

Nikola estimates that hydrogen fuel cell-powered drivetrains will form over three-quarters of its business, with battery-powered electric trucks forming the minority. To realise that the company is currently investing heavily in a network of hydrogen refuelling sites in the US, with over 700 outlets available by 2028.

Developed with the Euro market in mind, details for the cab-over Nikola Tre are limited, but the company says it will produce up to 750kW and 2700Nm while delivering a range of between 500 and 1200 kilometres.

Both new models, like the Nikola One, will feature a fully digital cockpit display, with a 17-inch touchscreen complementing its digital instrumentation, along with a raft of cutting-edge connectivity, safety, autonomous vehicle technology and telematics/fleet management functions.

Like in the passenger car industry, it seems the electrification of the truck industry is imminent and the race to bring a reliable, cost-effective and productive zero-emissions vehicle to the market is on in earnest.

Whether newcomers like Nikola and Tesla will beat the established automotive manufacturers to the line remains to be seen, but it appears we've entered a period of technological innovation the likes of which we haven't known since Karl Benz first married load-hauling ability with the internal combustion engine back in the 1890s…