---
title: "Tesla Rival Nikola Lands Semi-Truck Deal with King of Beers, Anheuser-Busch"
description: "Anheuser-Busch has ordered up to 800 hydrogen-electric powered semi-trucks from Tesla rival Nikola Motors."
date: "2018-05-04"
modified: "2018-05-04"
authors:
  - name: "Justin Hughes"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/justin-hughes"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/20626/tesla-rival-nikola-lands-semi-truck-deal-with-king-of-beers-anheuser-busch"
categories:
  - "Car Tech"
  - "Electric Vehicles"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
  - "Tesla News"
  - "Trucks"
tags:
  - "Anheuser-Busch"
  - "Electric Vehicle"
  - "Hydrogen Truck"
  - "Nikola One"
  - "Semi Truck"
  - "Tesla"
  - "tesla semi"
---

# Tesla Rival Nikola Lands Semi-Truck Deal with King of Beers, Anheuser-Busch

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2018/05/nikola_anheuser_busch.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Tesla rival [Nikola Motors](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/16734/sorry-tesla-fanboys-the-best-zero-emissions-semi-runs-on-fuel-cells>) and beer company Anheuser-Busch announced in a joint press release Thursday that the brewer has placed an order for up to 800 hydrogen-electric powered semi-trucks. This is in addition to a mere 40 Tesla semis that Anheuser-Busch [ordered in December](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/16783/hooray-beer-anheuser-busch-orders-40-tesla-semi-trucks>).

"At Anheuser-Busch, we’re continuously searching for ways to improve sustainability across our entire value chain and drive our industry forward,” said Michel Doukeris, CEO of Anheuser-Busch. “The transport industry is one that is ripe for innovative solutions and Nikola is leading the way with hydrogen-electric, zero-emission capabilities. We are very excited by the possibilities our partnership with them can offer."

The trucks are part of Anheuser-Busch's goal of reducing the company's overall carbon dioxide emissions by 25 percent by 2025. Anheuser-Busch aims to convert its entire long-haul dedicated fleet to renewable powered trucks by then.

While Tesla appears to be [struggling with production of the Model 3](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/20209/tesla-model-3-production-will-run-24-7-musk-says>) due in part to what CEO Elon Musk called a "Russian nesting doll" of contractors and subcontractors, as well as concerns about its own semi, Nikola recently [pledged to refund deposits](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/19940/nikola-to-refund-customer-deposits-for-fuel-cell-semi-trucks>) because the company is so flush with cash.

Neither company has actually put a semi into production yet. Earlier this week, Nikola [filed a lawsuit against Tesla alleging patent infringement](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/19940/nikola-to-refund-customer-deposits-for-fuel-cell-semi-trucks>) on its hydrogen-electric semi-trucks.

"Hydrogen-electric technology is the future of logistics and we’re proud to be leading the way," said Trevor Milton, CEO of Nikola Motor Company. "With nearly 9 billion dollars in pre-order reservations, we are building to order, not speculation, and are very excited for what’s to come."

### Author social links  
[Facebook](<https://facebook.com/justinhughesrfd>)  
[Instagram](<https://instagram.com/justinhughes54>)  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/justinhughes54>)