According to the company’s announcement, US hydrogen mobility company Hyroad Energy has acquired 113 Class 8 hydrogen fuel cell trucks, including 103 brand-new Nikola Tre FCEVs, as well as spare parts, software platforms, and operational infrastructure. The trucks will be deployed primarily in California, where the company is developing its hydrogen refuelling network.
Industry reports emphasise that the HYLA fuelling stations were excluded from the deal. However, Hyroad says it will also support existing Nikola truck customers, ensuring parts and service availability for those already operating the vehicles.
Coverage from TruckNews.com added further context, reporting that Nikola founder Trevor Milton claimed he submitted a bid $400,000 higher than Hyroad’s, but the bankruptcy court selected Hyroad’s offer.
Hyroad, which operates a trucks-as-a-service model, says the acquisition enables it to put proven hydrogen fuel cell technology on the road immediately while helping customers avoid the risks and complexities of adopting new technologies.
From industry pioneer to bankruptcy
Founded in 2014, Nikola Corporation was once hailed as a pioneer in zero-emission trucking, launching North America’s first commercially available hydrogen-powered Class 8 truck. The company also invested heavily in its HYLA hydrogen refuelling network, which dispensed more than 330 metric tonnes of hydrogen before operations ceased.
However, Nikola struggled with capital shortages, production challenges, and the fallout from fraud charges against founder Trevor Milton. By February 2025, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, holding around $47 million in cash. Its battery-electric truck assets were sold to Mullen Automotive shortly before the filing, while the remaining hydrogen assets were put up for auction.
