A growing number of manufacturers seem to have made up their minds that the electric pickup truck segment is the one to be in as pure-electric propulsion continues its march into the mainstream. If all goes according to plan, just the next couple of years will see the introduction of the Rivian R1T, Bollinger B2, Tesla Cybertruck, LMC Endurance, GMC Hummer, and the first battery-electric Ford F-Series.

Now, yet another startup is throwing its hat into the ring: Nikola Motor Company, with its pure-electric Badger pickup truck. The Badger represents the first conventional passenger vehicle concept from a company better known for its zero-emissions commercial truck concepts.

From the specs, the Nikola Badger seems like a worthy contender in the emerging alternative-energy pickup truck segment, boasting 300 miles of range on battery power alone - or up to 600 miles with an optional hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain. Nikola is targeting a 0-to-60 time to the tune of 2.9 seconds, thanks in part to a set of quick-discharging super-capacitors and peak output of 906 horsepower with up to 980 lb-ft of torque.

The Nikola Badger is slated to debut in earnest this September, with Nikola Motor Company opening the order books for the new pure-electric pickup shortly thereafter.

Of course, it's important to keep in mind that many a promising EV startup has fizzled out before ever making a significant impression, and not necessarily for a lack of good engineering. Nikola is still an untested company that has yet to turn out a series production EV, so we'll regard the Badger with cautious optimism for now.

Like Tesla, Nikola Motor Company is named for pioneering electrical engineer and inventor Nikola Tesla, but the two companies are completely unrelated. Nikola is gunning to start construction on its first factory later this year, sending its first electric truck to production in 2021.