Nikola and FirstElement Fuel Form 10-Year Hydrogen Partnership

United States — Nikola Corp., a zero-emissions transportation and energy solutions, and FirstElement Fuel (FEF), a hydrogen refueling station provider, have solidified a transformative 10-year agreement to refuel Nikola's hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks at FEF's hydrogen station in Oakland, California. This strategic collaboration underscores their shared commitment to driving the widespread adoption of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles, marking a significant stride toward a greener and more sustainable future.

As part of this strategic partnership, FEF is designated as an authorized Nikola Fueling Solutions Partner. Nikola customers will gain access to fueling services at the new FEF heavy-duty truck station strategically located near the port in Oakland. The station, featuring FEF's proprietary design, anticipates a daily fueling capacity of around 200 trucks and will introduce the world's first heavy-duty truck H70 fast-fill lane for efficient hydrogen refueling. Funded by the California Energy Commission under the NorCal Zero Project, this agreement aligns seamlessly with Nikola's initial truck launch strategy, focusing on deploying zero-emission trucks in proximity to Maritime Ports throughout California.

Nikola's President of Energy, Joe Cappello, expressed enthusiasm, stating, "Our customers now have access to fuel at FEF's first heavy-duty site in Oakland, California. With additional stations planned, this signifies a powerful synergy between Nikola and FEF, driving us towards a shared vision of a future with cleaner and more sustainable solutions."

The fast-fill lane in Oakland exemplifies the collaboration between Nikola's advanced truck technology and FEF's station capabilities, showcasing Nikola's commitment to promoting the adoption of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles in Northern California. Nikola plans to establish up to 60 stations in the coming years, employing various strategies such as mobile and permanent HYLA-branded stations, customer-owned stations, and partnerships with public truck stops via Nikola's fueling station partner network.

Joel Ewanick, Founder and Executive Chairman of FEF, said "This collaboration is a testament to our commitment to transform the transportation industry, and we are proud to play a role in powering Nikola's innovative hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks."

As part of its broader strategy, Nikola is collaborating with industry-leading partners to ensure a robust hydrogen supply chain, transport logistics, storage solutions, and dispensing locations. The company has already secured enough energy offtake to support customer operations through early 2024 and is actively working on securing additional hydrogen offtake for future sales.

California, at the forefront of reducing carbon emissions, particularly in high-traffic ports, sees Nikola's Class 8 hydrogen fuel cell electric truck as a key player in advancing these initiatives. The Oakland station and partnership underscore Nikola and FEF's commitment to meeting state and federal zero-emission goals, marking a significant milestone in the deployment of refueling infrastructure crucial to the energy transition.

FEF is installing several hydrogen refueling stations capable of fast-filling for Class 8 trucks, with this initiative with Nikola accelerating FEF's commitment to building hydrogen infrastructure in areas where clean solutions are imperative.

Nikola plans to roll out HYLA-branded hydrogen fueling locations in Southern California in the coming months, followed by Northern California, supporting the recent launch of the Nikola hydrogen fuel cell electric truck. Complementing these stations will be a network of hydrogen fueling solution partners, facilitating the adoption of hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks and the decarbonization of transportation.