The Nikola One electric truck

Milton told Fleet Owner that while the Nikola One model on display for the unveiling is fully functional, he's putting off public test drives until the end of 2017. "I've got a moral obligation to make sure this vehicle is completely safe before we put it out on the road," he said.

Glider kit maker Fitzgerald will build the first 5,000 Nikola One tractors - Milton said Nikola has almost $4 billion worth of pre-orders already - while the company establishes its own $1 billion manufacturing plant, with a capacity to build 50,000 vehicles per year. Nikola plans to announce the location of its manufacturing facility in 2017.

Nikola has also signed and agreement with Ryder System to sell, service, and handle any warranty issues with the Nikola One. "They have over 800 locations," Milton said. "We also plan to put together different leasing programs with Ryder; those will be coming out in the near future."

Max Fuller, chairman and CEO of U.S. Xpress, told Fleet Owner that the Nikola one "could be a game changer for the trucking industry." He explained that fuel prices pose "the highest risk" for trucking fleets, leading to "a whole lot of rate volitility." Going all-electric via a hydrogen-powered fuel cell "will help us get out of that cycle."

The Nikola One features and independent suspension system developed by Meritor.

SAF Holland provided the all-aluminum fifth wheel on the Nikola One.

Milton said the onboard hydrogen storage capacity of the Nikola One gives it a range of 1,200 miles.

Milton showed off the unique "mid-can entry" door on the Nikola One to the Governor of Utah.

The Nikola One's driver console will feature a 21-inch display screen in part because the truck will come "pre-loaded" with Nikola Shipments; a freight matching service. Milton told Fleet Owner he views the Nikola One as a "rolling iPhone" with everything a truck driver needs to do business at their fingertips.

The Nikola One prototype also features a translucent sky roof and double-bunk arrangement.

Milton said the "instant acceleration" provided by the Nikola One's electric motor will allow the truck to keep pace with traffic flow better. Not having a diesel engine, aftertreatment system, traditional transmission, etc., also lightens the truck up by 2,000 lbs. compared to a typical Class 8 sleeper model.

Nikola Motor Co. also plans to liquefy hydrogen is order to make transportation throughout its planned 364 refueling station network easier.

Milton said the Nikola One should achieve 15.4 mpg per equivalent gallon; essentially doubling the "freight efficiency" of a Class 8 tractor.

Glider maker Fitzgerald will built the first 5,000 Nikola One tractors - Milton said Nikola has nearly $4 billion worth of pre-orders - as Nikola establishes its own manufacturing facility, details of which will be released in 2017. Full production of the Nikola One is expected in 2020.

Nikola also plans to build a daycab Class 8 tractor as well, called the Nikola Two, which sports a more "traditional" on-highway truck shape.

Max Fuller, chairman and CEO of U.S. Xpress, told Fleet Owner that while there is still a lot of "validation and certification" still to go for the Nikola One, "I like what I see; they didn't skimp on anything in terms of safety or driver comfort."

Nikola is also building a "Nikola Zero" off-road vehicle as well.

"It's time we build something stronger and cleaner; something no one else thought possible," Nikola's Milton said.