The letter, which is signed by Nikola founder Trevor Milton, says the company is “evaluating several pricing options for a lease or purchase of the Nikola trucks.”
Nikola unveiled the 1,000-hp fully electric rig last year. The company says it produces no emissions and can operate up to 1,200 miles before its hydrogen fuel cell needs to be replaced.
One such option is price per-mile system that charges drivers a fixed cost per-mile to operate a Nikola truck with a minimum annual mileage.
“We anticipate this price per-mile option could reduce the overall cost of ownership, compared to a diesel, by as much as 30 percent,” Milton writes. “This price per-mile option will also help drivers better control their cost of ownership, by billing them for each mile driven – rather than a set lease price whether a truck is on the road and making money.”
Nikola expects pricing specifics related to this option to be available for review by early 2019.
Between now and October 2018, Milton writes an updated version of the Nikola tractor will undergo changes to the chassis that will include a reduction in weight, size, provide better visibility, increase storage and lower the fifth wheel.
