On Wednesday, San Antonio-based HOLT Truck Centers rolled out a prototype of its first battery-powered, zero-emission truck — the Nikola Tre BEV — which will be distributed by HOLT and available to buy later this year.
To see inside the Nikola Tre BEV, click the slideshow above
The preproduction model of the Class-8 truck, meaning its gross combined weight rating exceeds 33,000 pounds, will be used as part of HOLT's fleet for delivering parts, according to Brandon Acosta, vice president of HOLT Truck Centers. He said this will help electric battery maker Nikola test the truck before unveiling the full production line for purchase.
The Nikola Tre BEV can travel up to 350 miles on a single charge and uses a non-proprietary connector and charging station. Moreover, when you apply the brakes, the energy from braking is cycled into charging the battery.
Nikola Corporation, a designer and manufacturer of heavy-duty, commercial battery-electric vehicles and fuel-cell electric vehicles, makes the Nikola Tre BEV. Nikola executives approached HOLT last July about becoming the sole authorized Texas dealer of the company's Class-8 trucks.
Bert Fulgium, HOLT senior vice president, said HOLT was impressed by Nikola's focus on innovative products and said that by adding Nikola vehicles to the HOLT fleet, he hoped to be able to provide more sustainable options for HOLT customers.
Acosta said that the Nikola Tre BEV has a 753-kWh-battery, and has a gross combined weight rating of over 33,000 pounds and can tow a gross combined weight of 82,000 pounds.
Cary Gniffke, HOLT's business development manager for the Nikola line, said battery-electric trucks could help the trucking industry since they're quiet and have no exhaust or emissions, so they can deliver to businesses that would normally have noise or time restrictions on when trucks can arrive. And it may also appeal to a new demographic of prospective truck drivers who might otherwise be reluctant to buy a truck due to environmental or other concerns.
HOLT CAT, a family-owned company founded in 1933, is the largest dealer of Caterpillar equipment in the United States and serves 118 Texas counties. The company also offers machine and engine rebuilds. It has seven locations in Texas and five in Oklahoma. Besides HOLT Renewables, HOLT CAT's other divisions include HOLT Crane & Equipment, Texas First Rentals, HOLT Manufacturing, SITECH Tejas; HOLT Truck Centers; HOLT Industrial Systems and HOLT Used.
