Work Truck Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Nikola Unveils Zero-Emission Pickup Truck

With an estimated range of 600 miles, Nikola's new Badger electric pickup is designed to target and exceed every electric or gasoline pickup in its class.

by Staff
February 10, 2020
Nikola Unveils Zero-Emission Pickup Truck

The Nikola Badger will make its first appearance at Nikola World 2020 in Phoenix.

Photo courtesy of Nikola.

2 min to read


Nikola has released the design of the Nikola Badger electric pickup truck, with an estimated range of 600 miles, the company announced.

Ad Loading...

Nikola Badger Specifications:

  • 600 miles on blended FCEV / BEV 

  • 300 miles on BEV alone

  • Operates on blended FCEV / BEV or BEV only by touch of a button

  • 906 HP peak

  • 455 HP continuous

  • 980 ft. lbs. of torque

  • 160 kWh, flooded module - lithium-ion battery

  • 120 kW fuel cell

  • Advanced Supercapacitor Launch Assist that blends with lithium ion and fuel-cell

  •  -20 operating environments without major performance or SOC losses

  • Towing capacity of over 8,000 pounds

  • Operating targets without motor stalls up to 50% grade

  • 15 kW power export outlet

  • Compatible with industry standard charging for BEV mode

  • Five seats

  • Truck dimensions: 5900 mm long x 1850 mm tall x 2160 mm wide a 1560 mm bed width

The advanced electric pickup is designed to target and exceed every electric or gasoline-powered pickup in its class. The Badger is engineered to deliver 980 ft. lbs. of torque, 906 peak HP and 455 continuous HP. 

Ad Loading...

The Badger will be built in conjunction with another OEM, using their certified parts and manufacturing facilities.

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

The Badger was designed to handle 0-100 mph launches with minimal loss of performance and to operate on grades up to 40% through advanced software blending of batteries and fuel-cell. With a fully loaded trailer and combined vehicle weight of 18,000 pounds, Nikola said, the Badger will be able to launch from a standstill on a 30% grade without motor stall.

"The program will help drive down the cost of the fuel-cell components on our semi-truck while accelerating the hydrogen station rollout," Mark Russell, president of Nikola, said in a statement. "Giving customers the option to order a fuel-cell or battery electric version will ensure we drive the cost down for everyone across our lineup."

“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.

Ad Loading...

Heavy D, a reality TV star from the “Diesel Brothers,” has partnered with Nikola to design, build, and test the Badger in real world environments, which is anticipated to attract millions of viewers and followers through the process. The partnership will follow the Badger build from concept through production.

“My audience, hard-core truck enthusiasts, has expected me to push the limits of truck power and capabilities since my beginnings,” Dave "Heavy D" Sparks said in a statement. “Being able to pull back the curtain of a production truck build is a rare opportunity where we can include the everyday truck owner to participate in the final outcome of design, exterior choices and performance specs. I wanted to be part of that story and now I have the opportunity with Nikola.”

The Nikola Badger will make its first appearance at Nikola World 2020 in September in Phoenix, Arizona. Prototypes will be available for select customers and media to ride in at Nikola World.

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 →