GP Joule orders 100 Class 8 Tre fuel cell EVs from Nikola, IVECO

Nikola’s Class 8 Tre fuel cell electric vehicle

GP Joule, a German system provider for integrated energy solutions, has ordered 100 Class 8 heavy-duty Tre hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) from zero-emissions transportation provider Nikola Corp.

Nikola and IVECO, the Iveco Group brand that designs, manufactures and markets heavy-duty trucks, will produce the Tre FCEVs in the European 6x2 variant in Ulm, Germany.

Of the 100 Tre FCEVs, Nikola said 30 are expected to be delivered to GP Joule within 2024, and the remaining 70 vehicles will be ready in 2025. 

“The order from GP Joule will be an example of how the Nikola Tre FCEV can further support commercial customers in Germany in their transition towards zero emissions several years ahead of other OEMs, which helps to achieve the goal of decarbonizing the transportation sector,” said Michael Lohscheller, Nikola Corp, president and CEO.

GP Joule said it plans to make the 100 Tre FCEVs available to its customers in transport and logistics. The order is still subject to GP Joule’s successful application for KsNI funding, Germany’s program to support the use of alternative, climate-friendly vehicles.

For the 70 vehicles set to be delivered in 2025, GP Joule has the possibility to acquire them through Green & Advanced Transport Ecosystem (GATE), which is Iveco Group’s all-inclusive electric truck rental model.

“GATE is dedicated to meeting the needs of both battery and hydrogen fuel cell electric commercial vehicle customers,” said Simone Olivati, president of Financial Services at Iveco Group. “This agreement is a chance to start offering our comprehensive service based on a pay-per-use formula that will allow customers access to the propulsion of tomorrow.”

Starting in 2026, Iveco Group and GP Joule have agreed to market additional FCEVs to European customers, with GP Joule providing them with 100% green hydrogen for their hydrogen refueling network.

“100% renewable energy for all, this is what drives us,” said Andre Steinau, managing director at GP Joule Hydrogen. “Together with Nikola and IVECO, we offer our customers all the components for climate-neutral, heavy-duty transport from a single source: from the production and purchase of green hydrogen to the hydrogen filling stations to the fuel cell trucks and service that meet their needs. This is the easy entry into emission-free freight transport.”