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Nikola Trucks publishes their first Sustainability Impact Report

November 05, 2024
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Nikola Motors’ new hydrogen fuel cell electric (FCEV) truck

Nikola Corporation have published their first Sustainability Impact Report.

Nikola is a US-based zero-emissions truck manufacturer and energy company, producing battery-electric and hydrogen fuel-cell heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), as well as supplying, distributing and dispensing hydrogen fuel through their energy brand, HYLA.

Their first Sustainability Impact Report (which relates to last year: 2023) not only covers the environmental impact of the company, but also its social impact and its progress towards internal sustainability goals.

Hydrogen FCEV Class 8 HGV

Nikola’s focus is on Class 8 HGVs, aiming to decarbonise a particularly environmentally unfriendly, and hard to abate, part of the transportation sector. 

In the US, medium and heavy-duty vehicles account for a quarter of transport-related greenhouse gas emissions. This is more than passenger cars and rail combined.

The report highlights Nikola’s success in launching a hydrogen fuel cell electric (FCEV) HGV in 2023. This is the first Class 8 HGV of its kind assembled in the US.

Launched in Q4 2023, by the end of the year Nikola had produced 42 hydrogen FCEV HGVs and delivered 35 of these to dealers.

2023 also saw Nikola’s expansion of its presence in Canada, where the hydrogen FCEV HGV is available to purchase.

This vehicle also won the Sustainable Product category of the 2023 Altair Enlighten Award.

To date, Nikola’s hydrogen FCEV fleets have travelled more than 550,000 miles. The report also announces that Nikola’s FCEVs outperform the average Class 8 HGV on fuel economy and tailpipe emissions. 

Using data from the US Department of Energy, Nikola estimate that their FCEV’s average miles per gallon is 23% better than the Class 8 fuel economy average.

The report is keen to highlight that, as of today, Nikola have provided hundreds of zero-emissions HGVs, contributing to the energy transition of the transportation industry.

HYLA Hydrogen Energy

2023 saw the launch of Nikola’s own hydrogen energy brand, HYLA. HYLA have already launched hydrogen refuelling locations in California.

HYLA was launched alongside Nikola’s first hydrogen fuel cell HGV modular refueller. This is designed to be a third-party solution, which complies with regulatory requirements and industry standards.

In fact, Nikola’s report highlights their commitment to safety through their membership of the Center for Hydrogen Safety (CHS) since its inception and its active role in the US Department of Energy’s Hydrogen Safety Panel.

So far, Nikola has announced a collaboration with FirstElement Fuel in Oakland, California. The refueller provides a hydrogen refuelling solution which can be rolled out through customer demonstration sites, HYLA locations and testing and validation facilities.

Finances

The report highlights the revenue earned by Nikola and its financial investment. In 2023, Nikola invested $208 million in the research and development of clean energy and technology products. 

In terms of revenue, Nikola earned $30 million from the sale of zero-emissions vehicles and $5.7 million from clean energy solutions. 

Transparency 

Overall, Nikola’s report offers an insight into the company, providing transparency to customers and the wider industry. 

The report highlights the company’s commitment to transparent reporting, ensuring that stakeholders understand the company’s sustainability impact and strategy. The report states that Nikola will “continue to increase [its] efforts in disclosure.”