Phoenix, Arizona truck maker Nikola has been designing hybrid semi-trucks since 2014. It has produced several commercial and military versions. On November 19, 2019 it said it has developed a new battery cell with double the energy density according to Forbes. Details are wafer thin. Skeptics are already asking will truck maker Nikola pull this one off.
How Will Truck Maker Nikola Achieve This
We know that Nikola wants to disrupt trucking with hydrogen technology. From what we hear, its double density ‘battery’ weighs 60% less than Tesla lithium-ion ones and is half their price. However, Forbes is skeptical because the first public demo is ten months away.
The truck maker replies its cells performed well under ‘heavy duty testing’ and are still in ‘acceptable condition’ after 2,000 cycles. This equates to driving several hundred thousand miles according CEO and Founder Trevor Milton. He was pretty confident when Forbes wondered will truck maker Nikola be able to sustain this. “This is the biggest advancement we have seen in the battery world,” he replied.
For the Rest Everything is Under Wraps
Trevor Milton refused to divulge more detail during the interview. Therefore, we have no idea how the cells work, or which materials they use. There’s not even a clue concerning the university scientists in the wings behind the scenes.
“It’s the world’s first free-standing electrode automotive battery,” was all he would say. “We went to a whole different type of chemical, with a lithium component. It’s hard to explain what it is without giving up the secret sauce.” We understand of course, although like Forbes we have to ask will truck maker Nikola achieve its promises.
However, if this is a super-dense battery then it’s likely Trevor Milton is onto something. From one battery innovator to another we wish you good fortune in your endeavors.
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Preview Image: Nikola Motor Company Vision
