Aug 9 Reuters Nikola beat Wall Street expectations for secondquarter revenue and posted a smallerthanexpected adjusted loss on Friday, signaling an uptick in deliveries of its hydrogen big rigs as clients ramped up spending. Shares of the electric truck maker rose 17 in early trading.

Nikola39;s results signal that its attempts to pivot away from its batterypowered trucks is paying off as it acquires new customers and receives an uptick in orders for its hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

It reported revenue of 31.3 million for the quarter, surpassing estimates of 27.1 million, according to LSEG data.

The company39;s secondquarter deliveries jumped 80 at 72 hydrogen trucks, indicating robust demand for its trucks amid an industrywide slowdown.

Nikola also said it is on track to complete the rollout of all of its revamped batteryelectric trucks by the end of the year.

Following a period of high investment in electric vehicles during the pandemic, growth in the industry has slowed as consumers consider socalled range anxiety, higher sticker prices and an uncertain economic outlook when making bigticket purchases.

Still, weak EV appetite has weighed on the company39;s shares, which have fallen over 70 this year.

The company reported adjusted loss per share of 2.67, smaller than the average analysts39; estimate of a loss of 2.85.

Nikola signed Walmart Canada as a major customer in June, when it delivered a hydrogen semitruck to the retailer.

The company39;s cash and cash…