Use Nikola Tesla's name and you're half-way there.

You might think it has something to do with Tesla Motors, but no - the bold Nikola Motor Company is on its own and it's making some pretty dubious statements on Twitter, calling out Elon Musk - for example on May 10, Nikola wrote: "6 electric motors and two speed. One each wheel. 2,000 HP. Torque vectoring. 320kWh lithium pack. @elonmusk proud?" 

Well, Tesla Motors and Nikola Motor Company share more than just a respected scientist's name. Both companies fit Nikola's description of "designing and manufacturing electric vehicles, vehicle components, energy storage systems, and electric vehicle drivetrains", with Nikola being far less inventive with its name and quite ambitious, presenting their newbie on the market by saying: "First ever 2,000 HP 87,000 ft. lbs. of instant torque electric powered semi truck. With 6X6 drive and regenerative braking, it is the safest truck ever built." 

It's not really the first electric truck, since Formula E announced already in April that it is getting a small fleet of electric trucks from the British electric truck maker Charge, however Nikola One is supposed to have, according to Nikola Motor Company, 800-1,200 miles of range from a 320 kWh Lithium Ion battery that doesn't need to be plugged in to re-charge as a natural-gas-powered "turbine charges batteries automatically while driving." And all this splendor won't come cheap, of course - it will cost you $375,000.

There is also another EV in the making, namely a four-seater, open-frame 4x4 named Nikola Zero. It is a 520-horsepower off-roader with expected 100-150 miles of range from a 50 kWh battery.

Despite the fact that both models are available only as 3D models you can see on your computer (indeed, no proper prototype has been built yet and presented to the crowds - unveiling of the Nikola One is scheduled for December 2), Nikola Motor Company already takes pre-orders: $1,500 for Nikola One and $750 for Nikola Zero.

While we're a little skeptical, potential buyers seem to be all but. In its press release, Nikola just announced that the company has generated $2.3 billion in reservations in the first month, totaling more than 7,000 truck reservations with deposits. 

"Our technology is 10-15 years ahead of any other OEM in fuel efficiencies, MPG and emissions. We are the only OEM to have a near zero emission truck and still outperform diesel trucks running at 80,000 pounds. To have over 7,000 reservations totaling more than 2.3 billion dollars, with five months remaining until our unveiling ceremony, is unprecedented," said Founder and CEO Trevor Milton.

June 14, 2016 Driving photo: Nikola Motor Company

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