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Nikola unveils five new zero-emissions vehicles at Nikola World 2019 event

Nikola Motor unveils 5 new products at Nikola World 2019 event. | Credit: Dacia Ferris/Teslarati

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Nikola Motors unveiled its Nikola Two and Nikola Tre hydrogen-electric semi trucks along with three other new emissions-free transportation products at its Nikola World 2019 event. The company’s core mission is to rid the transportation industry of its reliance on diesel fuel, and their primary path to that future is via advanced hydrogen fuel cell technology.

Trevor Milton, CEO and founder of Nikola, kicked off the event by arriving onstage with the iconic Budweiser Clydesdales. Annheuser-Busch has ordered 800 trucks from Nikola as part of the iconic beer brewing company’s sustainability mission. “I cannot wait to see your truck pull a load of Budweiser,” Ingrid De Ryck, VP of Procurement and Sustainability for Annheuser exclaimed later in the evening’s presentation.

Nikola is arguably best known for its upcoming zero emission semi trucks; however, the Arizona-based startup has been simultaneously developing products for both the military and outdoor adventure crowd.

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The first new product unveiled at Nikola World 2019 was the Nikola Reckless, a military all-terrain vehicle designed for superior performance and stealth thanks to its minuscule sound and heat signature. High-end specs are an expected given for this type of tailored vehicle, of which the Reckless undoubtedly has, but an additional perk described in the company’s presentation was the ATV’s 13” Infotainment screen which can be completely submerged without being damaged. The Reckless is also modular to enable a broad-range of military applications. “We believe all military vehicles will transform to battery electric and hydrogen fuel cells in the future,” Andrew Christian, NP of Business Development and Defense at Nikola’s Powersports division stated during the presentation.

The second product unveiled at Nikola’s event extended the company’s coined hashtag ‘#emissionsgameover’ beyond land transporatation. The Nikola Water Adventure Vehicle (WAV) is an all-electric jet-ski styled personal watercraft featuring an innovative platform. In comparison to electric vehicle “skateboard” architectures, the Nikola WAV will have a “wakeboard” architecture from which other watercraft can be developed.

The Nikola WAV, all-electric watercraft. | Credit: Nikola
The Nikola Reckless military all-terrain vehicle. | Credit: Nikola

The final product presented before the main semi truck attractions took stage was a redesigned version of the Nikola NZT Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV). NZT stands for “Net Zero Toll”, meaning the vehicle leaves zero footprint wherever it’s used. The flagship Powersports vehicle is meant to change its entire relative industry towards an emissions-free, near noise-pollution-free-direction.

Finally, the Nikola Two and Europe-bound Nikola Tre Class 8 semi trucks were unveiled, all rolling out onto the stage and floor, respectively. Two Nikola Two big rigs were debuted – one red, one in “Storm Trooper” white. “This is 800V of real…I’ve been preparing for this moment my whole life,” Milton stated prior to the Nikola Two roll out. The trucks at the event were hydrogen electric versions. Once in production, however, battery-only electric versions of the two semis will also be available for purchase.

Nikola Motor CEO Trevor Milton has a candid moment before unveiling the Nikola Two at the Nikola World 2019 event. | Photo: Dacia Ferris/Teslarati
The Nikola Two hydrogen electric semi truck unveiled at the Nikola World 2019 event. | Photo: Dacia Ferris/Teslarati

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The second day of Nikola World 2019 will have breakout sessions providing more details on the products revealed along with a demo track where the Nikola Two will be on display. Test ride-alongs will also be given for the NZT on a closed course track.

Follow @Teslarati for more behind-the-scenes coverage of day two of Nikola World 2019.

Watch the full live streamed Nikola World 2019 event below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Dc8J3iSLw4

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Accidental computer geek, fascinated by most history and the multiplanetary future on its way. Quite keen on the democratization of space. | It's pronounced day-sha, but I answer to almost any variation thereof.

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Elon Musk

Elon Musk sends stern warning to Tesla vandals, doubters

Elon Musk sent another warning to vandals that have attacked Tesla for political reasons.

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NORAD and USNORTHCOM Public Affairs, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Elon Musk has sent a stern warning to Tesla vandals, doubters, and attackers, who have subjected the company and its owners to political violence through arson and other modes of retaliation.

Over the past few months, Tesla showrooms and vehicles have been hit with numerous attacks from those who have opposed Musk and his political involvement with the Trump Administration. Although Musk has stepped back from his role within government significantly since the start of May, the company is still looked at as a political target.

While the White House has put a clear-cut line on the acts, calling them domestic terrorism and holding those responsible for the damage they have done, there are still numerous and daily instances of keying cars or worse.

Yesterday, Musk continued to send stern warnings to those who oppose Tesla and choose to handle their distaste for the company with violence and vandalism. In a Bloomberg interview at the Qatar Economic Forum, Musk was asked if he took what has happened to Tesla “over the past few months personally.”

Musk replied simply but sternly: “Yes.”

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He went on to say that not only will those who vandalized the company and its products owned by consumers be held to the fullest extent of the law, but also those who fund it.

Musk also said during a CNBC interview yesterday that very few people buy a company’s products because of the CEO’s political beliefs, and many people do not even know where those CEOs stand on various social issues.

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Although Musk has gone out of his way to be transparent about his beliefs, he has a valid point. He obviously felt that, because of his influence, he held a duty to uphold American values and protect what he felt was an attack on free speech and human rights.

Disagreeing with Musk and his political stances is totally reasonable, but damaging products that consumers bought from his companies is not impacting him directly. Instead, it is making consumers’ lives more difficult.

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Tesla Model 3 gets perfect 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating

Tesla prides itself on producing some of the safest vehicles on the road today.

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Credit: Tesla Singapore/X

Tesla prides itself on producing some of the safest vehicles on the road today. Based on recent findings from the Euro NCAP, the 2025 Model 3 sedan continues this tradition, with the vehicle earning a 5-star overall safety rating from the agency.

Standout Safety Features

As could be seen on the Euro NCAP’s official website, the 2025 Model 3 achieved an overall score of 90% for Adult Occupants, 93% for Child Occupants, 89% for Vulnerable Road Users, and 87% for Safety Assist. This rating, as per the Euro NCAP, applies to the Model 3 Rear Wheel Drive, Long Range Rear Wheel Drive, Long Range All Wheel Drive, and Performance All Wheel Drive.

The Euro NCAP highlighted a number of the Model 3’s safety features, such as its Active Hood, which automatically lifts during collisions to mitigate injury risks to vulnerable road users, and Automatic Emergency Braking System, which now detects motorcycles through an upgraded algorithm. The Euro NCAP also mentioned the Model 3’s feature that prevents initial door opening if someone is approaching the vehicle’s blind spot.

Standout Safety Features

In a post on its official Tesla Europe & Middle East account, Tesla noted that the company is also introducing new features that make the Model 3 even safer than it is today. These include functions like head-on collision avoidance and crossing traffic AEB, as well as Child Left Alone Detection, among other safety features.

“We also introduced new features to improve Safety Assist functionality even further – like head-on collision avoidance & crossing traffic AEB – to detect & respond to potential hazards faster, helping avoid accidents in the first place. 

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“Lastly, we released Child Left Alone Detection – if an unattended child is detected, the vehicle will turn on HVAC & alert caregivers via phone app & the vehicle itself (flashing lights/audible alert). Because we’re using novel in-cabin radar sensing, your Tesla is able to distinguish between adult vs child – reduced annoyance to adults, yet critical safety feature for kids,” Tesla wrote in its post on X.

Below is the Euro NCAP’s safety report on the 2025 Tesla Model 3 sedan.

Euroncap 2025 Tesla Model 3 Datasheet by Simon Alvarez on Scribd

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Elon Musk

USDOT Secretary visits Tesla Giga Texas, hints at national autonomous vehicle standards

The Transportation Secretary also toured the factory’s production lines and spoke with CEO Elon Musk.

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Credit: Elon Musk/X

United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) Secretary Sean Duffy recently visited Tesla’s Gigafactory Texas complex, where he toured the factory’s production lines and spoke with CEO Elon Musk. In a video posted following his Giga Texas visit, Duffy noted that he believes there should be a national standard for autonomous vehicles in the United States.

Duffy’s Giga Texas Visit

As could be seen in videos of his Giga Texas visit, the Transportation Secretary seemed to appreciate the work Tesla has been doing to put the United States in the forefront of innovation. “Tesla is one of the many companies helping our country reach new heights. USDOT will be right there all the way to make sure Americans stay safe,” Duffy wrote in a post on X. 

He also praised Tesla for its autonomous vehicle program, highlighting that “We need American companies to keep innovating so we can outcompete the rest of the world.”

National Standard

While speaking with Tesla CEO Elon Musk, the Transportation Secretary stated that other autonomous ride-hailing companies have been lobbying for a national standard for self-driving cars. Musk shared the sentiment, stating that “It’d be wonderful for the United States to have a national set of rules for autonomous driving as opposed to 50 independent sets of rules on a state-by-state rules basis.”

Duffy agreed with the CEO’s point, stating that, “You can’t have 50 different rules for 50 different states. You need one standard.” He also noted that the Transportation Department has asked autonomous vehicle companies to submit data. By doing so, the USDOT could develop a standard for the entire United States, allowing self-driving cars to operate in a manner that is natural and safe.

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