Work Truck Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Nikola Unveils the Badger Electric Pickup

Nikola, which has yet to sell a truck, saw its market valuation surged to $31 billion — higher than Fiat Chrysler and Ford — in its first week of public trading.

by Staff
June 10, 2020
2 min to read


Nikola Motor Company, the startup automaker better known for its plans for a hydrogen-electric semi, has announced the product launch of the Nikola Badger electric pickup, according to a statement by Nikola on June 10.

Ad Loading...

The Badger will be available as a battery-electric (BEV) or fuel cell-electric (FCEV) model. Customers who initially bought the BEV model can later upgrade to the FCEV, as hydrogen infrastructure advances, according to Nikola.

Ad Loading...

The Badger will have an estimated range of 300 miles as a BEV and 600 miles as an FCEV. It is estimated to deliver 980 ft. lbs. of torque with 906 peak HP and 455 continuous HP. Towing capacity is slated to be 8,000 lbs.

The Badger will be built in conjunction “with another OEM utilizing their certified parts and manufacturing facilities,” the statement said.

The Badger will be outfitted with a 15-kilowatt power outlet for tools, lights, and compressors, which will deliver enough power to assist a construction site for about 12 hours without a generator.

The Badger’s performance won’t suffer from payload or grade, according to Nikola. With a fully loaded trailer and combined vehicle weight of 18,000 lbs., Nikola estimates the Badger will be able to launch from a standstill on a 30% grade without motor stall.

“Nikola has billions worth of technology in our semi-truck program, so why not build it into a pickup truck?” said Trevor Milton, CEO, Nikola Corporation. “I have been working on this pickup program for years and believe the market is now ready for something that can handle a full day’s worth of work without running out of energy.”

Ad Loading...

In a bit of showmanship usually seen by Elon Musk, Milton contracted Heavy D, a reality TV star from the “Diesel Brothers,” to design, build, and test the Badger in real world environments.

Preorders for the Nikola Badger begin June 29. The truck will make its first appearance at Nikola World 2020 in Phoenix in November.

Nikola severed ties with Ryder last week. Since debuting as a public company last week, Nikola’s market valuation has surged to $31 billion, higher than Fiat Chrysler and Ford. The company has yet to sell a truck.

Originally posted on Automotive Fleet

More Green Fleet

FFC one day pass announce
Green Fleetby StaffSeptember 15, 2026

Fleet Forward Conference Introduces One-Day Passes for 2026

New one-day registration gives fleet professionals the flexibility to attend Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, with passes available for $199 through Sept. 18.

Read More →
Catalyst Mobility logo displayed over an image of an electric commercial truck connected to a charging station inside a facility.
Green Fleetby News/Media ReleaseSeptember 14, 2026

CALSTART Rebrands as Catalyst Mobility, Will Combine with Forth in 2027

CALSTART has rebranded as Catalyst Mobility and will combine with Forth at the start of 2027. The new organization said it is poised to become one of the world's largest, strongest, and most impactful clean transportation nonprofits.

Read More →
Aerial view of a New York-New Jersey port terminal with shipping containers and cranes, overlaid with CALSTART and Port Authority of NY & NJ logos.
Green Fleetby News/Media ReleaseSeptember 9, 2026

Electric Truck and Charging Programs to Boost Sustainability at NY & NJ Ports

Together, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and CALSTART will electrify drayage and terminal operations serving the East Coast’s busiest container port. A pair of incentive programs totaling $45 million has launched to accelerate adoption of zero-emission drayage trucks and terminal tractors.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
White dual-axle enclosed equipment trailer with side access doors and a spare tire, parked in a desert landscape with mountains in the background.
Green Fleetby News/Media ReleaseSeptember 2, 2026

Xos Hub Surpasses One Gigawatt-Hour of Energy Delivered in the Field

A single Xos Hub has surpassed one gigawatt-hour of energy across more than 33,600 charging sessions in the field, demonstrating performance that supports Xos' expansion across new products and markets.

Read More →
Carrier Transicold Vector 8200 refrigeration unit mounted on a refrigerated trailer outside a distribution facility with loading docks and additional refrigerated trucks.
Green FleetSeptember 1, 2026

Carrier Transicold Launches All-Electric Vector 8200 TRU for Diesel-Free On-Site Cold Storage

Carrier Transicold’s first engineless multi-temperature TRU helps fresh- and frozen-food fleets add supplemental cold storage capacity during seasonal peaks.

Read More →
Three compact white utility trucks parked in a row on a paved lot, surrounded by trees, with large windshields, enclosed cabs, and amber warning lights.
Green Fleetby News/Media ReleaseAugust 21, 2026

Narro Trucks Introduces Electric Utility Vehicle

Narro Trucks officially launched its operations on Aug. 20 and hosted a ride and drive to showcase its electric truck, which will be produced in Virginia.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
GM logo above “Battery Plant Update” on a green energy-themed graphic with battery and sustainability icons.
Green Fleetby Lauren FletcherAugust 12, 2026

Samsung SDI Takes Full Control of GM Battery JV as Indiana Plant Pivots to Energy Storage

Samsung SDI is taking full control of its Indiana battery plant with GM, marking a major shift from the EV-focused joint venture Charged Fleet first covered in 2023.

Read More →
Port of Tacoma truck driver appreciation event, with a worker in a safety vest handing food to a semi-truck driver beside a “Thank You Truck Drivers” banner.
Green Fleetby News/Media ReleaseAugust 11, 2026

NWSA Taps CALSTART to Administer Zero-Emission Drayage Assistance Program

CALSTART will provide free technical assistance services to drayage fleets serving the Ports of Seattle and Tacoma and looking to transition to cleaner technologies and help decarbonize freight hubs.

Read More →
Fleet manager stands near an EV charging station and looks toward a row of white cargo vans in a rainy fleet yard. Text reads “EV Fleet Reality Check?”
Green FleetAugust 11, 2026

EV Fleet Reality Check: What Operators Wish They Knew Before Electrifying Their Work Vans

Electric work truck upfits bring new compatibility questions. Learn how parts availability, OEM guidance, power demands, and route planning can affect fleet performance.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Create alt text for this image, 40 words or less.
Green Fleetby News/Media ReleaseAugust 4, 2026

Peterbilt Expands Sourcewell Partnership with Electric Vehicle Lineup

Peterbilt Motors Company’s cooperative purchasing agreement with Sourcewell and its Canadian partner, Canoe Procurement Group, now includes including Peterbilt's battery-electric vehicle lineup.

Read More →