This collaboration unifies their commitment to driving the widespread adoption of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles and marks a significant step towards a greener and more sustainable tomorrow.
Under this strategic partnership, FEF is appointed as an authorised Nikola Fuelling Solutions Partner. This collaboration enables Nikola customers to access fuelling services at the new FEF multi-use heavy-duty truck station situated strategically near the port in Oakland, California. The station, which uses FEF's proprietary design, anticipates a fuelling capacity of approximately 200 trucks per day, and will boast the world's first heavy-duty truck H70 fast-fill lane for efficient hydrogen refuelling. The station received funding from the California Energy Commission under the NorCal Zero Project. This agreement aligns with Nikola's initial truck launch strategy, concentrating on the deployment of its zero-emissions trucks in areas adjacent to Maritime Ports throughout California and serves as the first of many partner stations to come.
"FirstElement Fuel is a recognised leader in hydrogen vehicle fuelling in California, and the Nikola team is inspired by the immense possibilities created by this agreement," said Nikola President of Energy, Joe Cappello. "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 Oakland station's fast-fill lane is a prime example of the synergies between Nikola's advanced truck technology as well as FEF's station capabilities and demonstrates Nikola's commitment to enabling the adoption of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles in Northern California. Nikola plans to utilise several paths to achieve a network of up to 60 stations in the coming years, including mobile and permanent HYLA branded stations, customer-owned stations, and new and established public truck stops via Nikola's fuelling station partner network. Two fuelling solutions locations are slated by the end of 2023 — one HYLA branded fuelling station in Ontario, California and the FEF Oakland location. Several additional fuelling solutions locations are planned by the close of Q224.
Nikola's broader strategy involves working with industry-leading partners to ensure a robust hydrogen supply chain, transport logistics, storage solutions, and dispensing locations. As Nikola previously announced, enough energy offtake has been secured to support customer operations through the beginning of 2024. The team is actively working to secure additional hydrogen offtake for future sales while continuing to develop the refuelling ecosystem.
FEF is in the process of installing a number of hydrogen refuelling stations capable of fast-filling for Class 8 trucks. This strategic initiative with Nikola will enable an acceleration of FEF's commitment to building hydrogen infrastructure to serve transportation hubs in areas where clean solutions are imperative.