DRIVING THE SEMI-TRUCK THAT TESLA PROMISED US 5 YEARS AGO

EV Channels Review

This video provides an in-depth look at the Nikola Tre, an electric semi-truck, contrasting it with the much-hyped but less-seen Tesla Semi. The reviewer highlights Nikola's progress, showcasing hundreds of working units already deployed with companies like Pepsi and UPS, a stark contrast to Tesla's limited production. The Nikola Tre is praised for its smooth, quiet ride, impressive acceleration (over 1000 peak horsepower), and advanced features like a spacious cab and integrated sleeper area. While acknowledging the higher initial cost compared to diesel trucks, the review suggests that for short-haul and stop-and-go applications, the electric powertrain's regenerative braking offers efficiency benefits. The video also touches on the challenges of driver adoption due to the cab-over design and the importance of Nikola owning its software for over-the-air updates. The fuel cell version is noted as being more expensive but also available for production this year. Overall, Nikola is presented as a serious contender with a functional, market-ready electric semi-truck.