Yeah, somebody got up on the wrong side of the bed that morning.
The thing is, the pack required for that range would weigh 15,000 pounds using
currently available batteries. Nikola motors doesn't make batteries. They're stuck buying what's on the market, so that's what they know. Tesla does make batteries. *If* Tesla has doubled the energy density of a cell - and I've seen several articles over the past few years where researchers have done it in the lab - then the battery pack drops to 7,500 pounds, roughly what the weight of the diesel engine, transmission, two axles, and 400 gallons of fuel would weigh.
If that were the case, it would account for the ridiculous performance claims and range for the new roadster.
If they haven't had a battery breakthrough, then yes, Elon is full of shit and this is just a ploy to get a cash influx so they can shove Model 3s out the door and pray they catch back up in time to release these products.
Except he doesn't have a record of being full of shit. He has a record of over promising with regards to timelines, yes. He also has a record of taking amazing risks, especially financially. But his products have all come out pretty much as advertised.