Nikola To Develop Advanced Fuel Cell Laboratory
Nikola Motor Company has announced that it has purchased $16 million worth of equipment necessary for developing a fuel cell laboratory. The company says this is the first step a plan that will cost several hundred million dollars. “It is critical that we move fast and have the best equipment as part of our truck development process,” said Mark Russell, Nikola Motor Company's president. “By creating our own facility, Nikola will be able to test and validate its fuel cell components in half the time it would take other OEMs and third-party labs.”
Advanced Facility
Nikola’s new facility will have all the necessary tools, climate-controlled rooms, and more to develop and test individual fuel cell system components as well as entire powertrains. “This lab will be filled with extremely talented fuel cell engineers and is a critical part in our truck development, enabling Nikola to set a new efficiency benchmark for heavy-duty fuel cell systems,” says Nikola CEO Trevor Milton. “We believe the fuel cell will replace the diesel engine in the next 10 years. It is a race to the finish line now for our team. Other OEMs have expressed interest in using Nikola’s fuel cell drivetrain and hydrogen stations and we plan on making them available to other OEMs who share our vision.”
Nikola World 2019
Nikola will release more details about its new fuel cell lab at Nikola World 2019, which takes places in Scottsdale, Arizona, on April 16 and 17th. The company will also highlight other trucking, hydrogen, and powersports innovations, along with a few other surprises; some of the event is open to the public, so check out the company’s website to register.