A Lifeline for Nikola Truck Owners, Fuel Cell Technology?
Hyroad Launches Two Initiatives After Dismal 2025 for Fuel Cell Trucks
Key Takeaways:
- Hyroad Energy bought Nikola's inventory and the intellectual property, though initially the trucking-as-a-service provider was only looking to buy the inventory,
- Hydrogen fuel cell electric truck manufacturer Nikola filed for bankruptcy Feb. 19.
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The story of hydrogen fuel cell electric rigs in the U.S. in 2025 is largely a benighted one, but a small group of equipment, fuel and truck suppliers are set to advance what they hope will be a sunnier latest chapter.
Hydrogen fuel cell electric truck manufacturer Nikola filed for bankruptcy Feb. 19 in the biggest hit to the advance of the technology.
Carriers who bought or leased Tre tractors from the Phoenix-based truck maker were left without a safety net, as previously reported by Transport Topics.
Nikola’s assets were sold off piecemeal — the factory, inventory and the intellectual property.
bought the inventory and the intellectual property, though initially the trucking-as-a-service provider was only looking to buy the inventory, according to Chief Technology Officer Aaron Lapsley.
Six months later, Hyroad is rolling out two initiatives; one to bring more than 100 Nikola trucks on the road for the first time, and a second to ease the burden on carriers who bought tractors and were faced with the task of keeping the vehicles on the road in a denuded ecosystem.
Austin, Texas-based Hyroad is teaming up with infrastructure developer plus fuel technology and supplier OneH2 for a TaaS offering centered on the set to go live in January.
“This partnership demonstrates what’s possible when infrastructure providers, technology innovators and fleet operators align around a shared goal,” said Hyroad CEO Dmitry Serov.
“Pacific Clean Fuels and OneH2 are providing the reliable fueling infrastructure our trucks need to operate at scale. Together, we’re proving that hydrogen trucking isn’t a future possibility — it’s happening right now in California’s most critical freight corridors,” he added.
Hyroad’s core pay-per-mile Taas model comprises vehicles, refueling infrastructure, hydrogen supply and financing.
Expanded Options
In December, however, Hyroad will expand the options for both core customers and other Nikola owners, building on its purchase of the truck maker’s IP and inventory.
The company will offer maintenance, software and parts supply. When Nikola sought court protection, a host of connectivity disappeared. The trucks can be operated without software connectivity, it’s not a hard blocker, Lapsley told TT.
But if a fleet runs into mechanical or service issues, mechanics do not have access to the diagnostic or service data, Lapsley said.
Absence of Connectivity
Three different entities are affected by the absence of connectivity: fleet managers, drivers and the trucks themselves.
“Most of the long-term problems are going to be for the trucks,” Lapsley said. “If the truck has a serious mechanical or technical issue, there’s a notification to the driver, but that’s just the start of the issues.”
This is where the reboot of connectivity offers a service to the entire Nikola ecosystem.
Starting in December, Hyroad will offer a software-as-a-service subscription at $299 per truck per month, with 10% off for an annual, prepaid subscription. The package will include cellular data service, continuous truck-to-cloud connectivity, the Nikola Fleet web app with live data, and the Drive mobile app (for iOS and Android) — a full suite of Nikola digital products.
Software Stack Upgraded
Significant upgrades to the software stack have been implemented compared with when Nikola went out of business, Hyroad’s CTO said.
Hyroad hired four ex-Nikola software engineers, plus a number of advisers. It also hired four service team members who worked at Nikola’s Fontana, Calif., location. Lapsley said the company likely will hire more service team members too.
Hyroad is trying to provide support to the entire market, including service, diagnostics and parts. Hyroad acquired a large number of some truck parts and fewer of other truck parts.
“There has been good interest. It’s keeping us busy,” Lapsley said. The service supports— including over-the-air updates — both battery electric trucks and their hydrogen fuel cell peers.
“I think it’s going to be important for those truck owners who only have a few trucks and it’s only a small part of their fleet,” he said.
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