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New big rig player, Nikola Motors, is looking to add their mark in the transportation industry.  Nikola is a startup operation based in Arizona that is “all in” on Hydrogen powered semi-trucks. While the theory of Hydrogen powered transportation has proven to be enticing, the actuality has eluded engineers over the past 50 years.  The largest hold back in the eyes of Nikola Motor, is that the tank sizes necessary for passenger vehicle operation has proven to be bulky and inefficient.   Nikola Motors is thinking around the scenario.  If you can’t condense the storage, increase the vehicle size.

From Black Friday to Cyber Monday and all throughout December, there will be more products sold and shipped in the U.S. than any other time of the year.  Staffing shortages and recent import tariffs have made retail executives stay on their toes and prepare for the season. 

Another concern that certainly weighs heavy on their minds are fuel and trucking costs, in particular the truck driver shortage that has plagued the trucking industry for years now.    

2018 was and continues to be a big year for the trucking and transportation industry. The future of the transportation industry will continually change over the next 10 years. Let’s take a look at some of the changes that took and will take place.

Back in November of 2017, Elon Musk unveiled an all-electric battery-powered Class 8 semi-trailer truck prototype. Musk provided specifics of two versions, regular production of 300 and 500 mile ranges. Just last week, the prototype traveled by itself. The Semi has been traveling thousands of miles using the existing Supercharger network. The only necessary help is an extension cord that is needed to plug the truck in when time to charge the vehicle. With the announcement of the prototype, Tesla also announced an ultra high-powered “Megacharger” that will be capable of replenishing 400 miles of range in as little as 30 minutes. .