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New fleet of electric semi-trucks to be made in Tennessee
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CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) — A new truck manufacturing company said it will soon be building electric-powered semi-trucks in Tennessee.

Nikola Motor Co. CEO Trevor Milton unveiled his plans last week in Salt Lake City to revamp the trucking industry by replacing diesel engines with hydrogen fuel and battery-powered electric motors, the Chattanooga Times Free Press reported (http://bit.ly/2h5uSzu).

Some of the Utah-based company's first trucks will be operated by drivers with U.S. Xpress Enterprises, Chattanooga's biggest trucking carrier.

Milton, 34, said he plans to build a $1 billion factory to assemble the new Nikola One trucks within the next five years.

In the meantime, Fitzgerald Glider Kits, an automotive parts maker in Byrdstown, Tennessee, will produce the first 5,000 Nikola One trucks, which Milton said should be ready for the road by 2019. Each is expected to cost $375,000.

U.S. Xpress CEO Max Fuller said he is constantly evaluating new technologies and was impressed by Milton's plans to create a high-power, long-lasting electric engine.

"Any time there are new technologies in the market that we think will be a game changer, we try to participate with those manufacturers that are coming to the market and try to help them understand what's needed in our industry," Fuller said.

The Nikola One truck should be able to travel 800 to 1,200 miles while carrying a full truck load without stopping, and could be refueled at hydrogen fueling stations Nikola also plans to eventually build, Milton said.

Customers could save more than $20,000 a year leasing the Nikola One compared to an average diesel semitractor-trailer, consulting firm Frost & Sullivan projected in a report last week.

Tool, J. Cole, Stevie Nicks to headline Bonnaroo music fest
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — J. Cole, Tool and Stevie Nicks will headline this year's Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, which is set to return after a two-year hiatus because of the pandemic and weather. 

The lineup for the June 16-19 festival in Manchester, Tennessee, was released Tuesday and also includes The Chicks, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, 21 Savage, Machine Gun Kelly, Roddy Ricch, Flume and Illenium. 

Last year's festival was set to go on with extra COVID-19 precautions in place for fans, but heavy rains from Hurricane Ida left the grounds unsafe for driving or camping. The festival takes place on a former farm in rural Tennessee about an hour southeast of Nashville. Tickets go on sale Thursday. 

The 2020 festival was postponed to 2021 because of the pandemic.

Other artists on the lineup include Bleachers, Lord Huron, Disclosure, The War on Drugs, Billy Strings, Porter Robinson, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats and Herbie Hancock. 

Online: https://www.bonnaroo.com/