INDIANAPOLIS – Allison Transmission has partnered with Nikola Corporation, a global leader in zero-emissions transportation and energy supply and infrastructure solutions, to conduct testing of its Class 8 battery-electric vehicle (BEV) and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) at Allison’s state-of-the-art Vehicle Electrification + Environmental Test (VE+ET) Center. The tests will take place in the 60,000-square-foot VE+ET Center, which is the only one of its kind in the Midwest, offering the ability to conduct year-round testing in one centralized location.
“We’re proud to collaborate with Nikola as they develop innovative, next-generation vehicles designed to reduce emissions and optimize performance,” said David Proctor, General Manager, Allison Vehicle Electrification + Environmental Test Center. “Our facility has the capabilities to support external customer test and validation programs for vehicles powered by every major propulsion type, which reinforces Allison’s commitment to taking a leadership role in the development of alternative fuel options for the commercial vehicle industry.”
The two companies will collaborate to test BEV and FCEV performance through controlled thermal environments and dynamometer road simulations, capable of simulating a wide range of duty cycles. The tests will utilize Nikola’s hydrogen refueling equipment along with a constant flow of hydrogen supplied by the facility to allow for uninterrupted test runs. Evaluation of the vehicles will include monitoring battery management and HVAC testing which leverages solar simulation to replicate extreme temperatures.
The VE+ET Center provides several benefits for OEMs including the ability to conduct testing in a safe, controlled, consistent environment which enables secure, dependable, repeatable results. At the facility, Allison simulates real world applications and climate conditions, allowing OEMs to reduce product development and validation timelines to bring innovative technology and vehicle systems to market faster and more efficiently. In addition, conducting testing in a condensed timeframe that is not dependent on seasonal climate and road conditions results in reduced costs compared to on-road testing.
“Leveraging the capabilities of Allison’s VE+ET Center has been a key enabler for Nikola to accelerate our product development cycle and confidently bring to market our Tre BEV early last year,” said Nikola Head of Vehicle Validation, Adam Tarleton. “We are looking forward to continued collaboration with Allison on our Tre FCEV product to deliver an industry-leading, best-in-class hydrogen FCEV with the performance, quality and reliability the commercial truck segment demands.”
The facility offers dedicated test cells and suites for customers, which provide the capabilities and collaboration necessary for new product development. The partnership between Allison Transmission and Nikola Corporation is an example of how industry leaders are working together to drive the development of alternative fuel options for the commercial vehicle industry. The testing at the VE+ET Center will play a crucial role in helping to bring these vehicles to market faster and more efficiently, while also helping to reduce emissions and improve performance.
