Nikola will offer a driver-assist system for its trucks starting next year

Nikola will begin offering an advanced driver-assist system on its electric heavy trucks starting late next year, the company said Wednesday. But a Nikola representative told CNBC the system as it will be integrated into the company's semitrucks is designed to be an "eyes-on-road, hands-on-wheel" system. Plus already provides the PlusDrive system to Italian heavy-truck maker Iveco, a longtime Nikola partner. Nikola said that several of its fleet customers, including PGT Trucking and Christenson Transportation, have agreed to test prototype PlusDrive-enabled Nikola semitrucks. Clarification: Plus's advanced driver-assist system as integrated into Nikola's semitrucks is designed to be an "eyes-on-road, hands-on-wheel" system, according to a company representative.