Imagine the truck is reaching max range, meaning battery banks are empty and also CNG supply. You can fill CNG tank, but still, battery banks are empty. No idling means you drive and use the turbine to propel the truck.
Then, what remains in the game?
500 hp gas turbine * 80% efficiency in conversion to electricity * 90% efficiency in conversion from electricity to motion in your six electric motors. So without battery assist Nikola One has cca 360 hp on wheels.
In hills, Nikola One will crawl 20 MPH with other dirty old-skool trucks and pray for downhill ride to charge battery banks.
How much hp is really needed to move class 8 rig on flat terrain?
side note - 320 kWh battery seems theoretically to be good for max 2880 m climb (at least potential energy of 40 tons 18 wheeler equals 320 kWh in 2880 meters of height).
I have no idea how long could the truck drive on batteries, but electric ships in my country have 336 kWh batteries and range around 80 km (
source here). Can anyone estimate range of this rig on batteries?