Nikola Corporation is a comprehensive leader in zero-emissions shipment, energy supply, and infrastructure clarification.

And Plug Power, a dominant provider of turnkey hydrogen solutions for the global green hydrogen economy, announced a strategic partnership on December 15 to advance the hydrogen economy.

The Nikola Tre fuel cell electric vehicle is anticipated to have a range of up to 500 miles and is an industry-leading hydrogen-powered cabover for extended or continuous metro-regional applications. 

Plug will acquire up to seventy-five Nikola Tre FCEVs over the following three years, with the first vehicles arriving in 2023.

As part of plug’s commitment to promoting the decarbonization of energy, the Nikola trucks will help to supply green hydrogen to North American clients. The acquired FCEVs will be partnered with plug’s market-leading liquid hydrogen tankers, constructed with exceptional over-the-road payloads.

The recently announced Nikola hydrogen hub project in Buckeye, Arizona, is now through a permitting and rezoning procedure, as well as the purchase of long-lead equipment.

The plug has been chosen to offer its absolutely integrated liquefaction system for the project, which will be designed to generate 30 metric tonnes per day in its first phase and up to 150 metric tonnes per day in its second phase. The hub’s low-carbon hydrogen supply will assist the rollout of the Nikola Tre FCEV program and Nikola’s hydrogen energy enterprise.

The parties have also completed a Green Hydrogen Supply Agreement for 125 metric tonnes per day. This contemporary green hydrogen supply and offtake partnership are anticipated to provide Nikola with a minimum of 100 metric tonnes per day of hydrogen.

Additionally, Nikola Corporation will be able to cause hydrogen from different locations across the country as the plug continues to add new supply facilities.

“Nikola and Plug share a vision for sustainable, efficient energy solutions, which supports our goal to decarbonize the transportation industry,” said Carey Mendes, president of Nikola’s Energy division. This strategic partnership will support Nikola’s aggressive expansion objectives to expand its hydrogen energy company and promote the adoption of Nikola’s zero-emission Class 8 vehicles.

Plug’s CSO and General Manager of Energy Solutions, Sanjay Shrestha, stated, “Today’s announcement underscores Plug’s leadership in the green hydrogen recession and its ability to make the adoption of hydrogen as simple as possible by working with industry pioneers like Nikola.” “Our customized, vertically integrated solutions comprise hydrogen production equipment or the delivery of hydrogen fuel, depending on the customer’s preference.”

“We look forward to advancing the hydrogen economy with Nikola through our strategic partnership.”

The Nikola Tre, a battery-electric vehicle with a 330-mile range, began serial production in March 2022 and is immediately available for delivery.