Anheuser-Busch InBev orders 800 hydrogen-powered trucks in new US clean-energy pledge

AB InBev has put an order in for 800 of Nikola Motor Co's Nikola Two truck

Anheuser-Busch InBev has pledged to convert all of its US distribution vehicles to renewable energy after signing a deal for 800 hydrogen-electric semi-trucks.

The brewer, which has reportedly already placed orders for Tesla's upcoming electric-powered truck, said this week it will expand its clean-energy commitment through a new agreement with Tesla rival Nikola Motor Co. Under the arrangement, Anheuser-Busch, the US unit of AB InBev, will start merging Nikola trucks into its existing fleet starting from 2020. The company expects that its entire US fleet will run on renewable energy by 2025.

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Nikola Motor Co, based in Utah, has yet to release any vehicles for general sale but unveiled its Nikola One truck in December last year. Instead of using electric batteries as Tesla does, Nikola uses hydrogen-electric fuel cells, a technology it claims is "the future of logistics". The trucks that AB InBev hopes to use - the Nikola Two - will be able to travel between 500 and 1,200 miles on a single charge and be refilled within 20 minutes. Together, the two companies will build a network of hydrogen fuelling stations along AB InBev's busiest US distribution network.

Michel Doukeris, CEO of Anheuser-Busch, said: "At Anheuser-Busch we're continuously searching for ways to improve sustainability across our entire value chain and drive our industry forward. 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."

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