Nikola Sign Strategic Agreements With Bosch for Fuel Cell Manufacturing
This announcement is the result of a multi-year working relationship with Bosch. After extensive analysis of the best options out there, we are proud to enter into this strategic relationship with Bosch
On 2nd September 2021, Nikola Corporation announced that it has signed agreements with Bosch Group Companies for Nikola to utilize fuel-cell power modules using technology licensed from Bosch.
Nikola is a leading designer and manufacturer of heavy-duty commercial battery-electric vehicles (BEV), fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEV) and energy infrastructure solutions. The company signed agreements for Nikola Class 7 and 8 fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEV). The agreements will enable Nikola to build the Bosch fuel-cell power modules at its Coolidge, Arizona facility.
Nikola CEO Mark Russell said, “This announcement is the result of a multi-year working relationship with Bosch. After extensive analysis of the best options out there, we are proud to enter into this strategic relationship with Bosch. The result is the best of both worlds in our ‘make versus buy’ analysis. We will be collaborating with Bosch to develop and assemble fuel-cell power modules specifically for our applications at the same Coolidge, Arizona facility where we manufacture our Nikola vehicles, utilizing major components from the Bosch global manufacturing network.”
The agreement will allow Nikola to adopt fuel-cell power for the Nikola Tre and US Nikola Two fuel-cell applications. As part of the agreement, Bosch will be supplying fully assembled fuel-cell power modules and major components including the fuel-cell stack to Nikola to assemble at its manufacturing facility in Coolidge. Both the companies will be working together for sourcing of the remaining components.
The fuel cell power module is expected to be launched in 2023 with the first application being the Class 8 regional-haul Nikola Tre FCEV (Fuel-Cell Electric Vehicle). Nikola is anticipating that the overall design will lead to a range of up to approximately 500 miles. Nikola plans to further expand capacity for use in the Class 8 long-haul Nikola Two FCEV with an anticipated range of up to approximately 900 miles.
Nikola Class 7 and Class 8 vehicles are planned to utilize common fuel-cell power modules in 200 kW and 300 kW configurations. The fuel-cell power modules and components are being designed to meet the requirements of commercial vehicle power. The Nikola Tre will also be launched in the EU market along with the US market, and Nikola will be utilizing the fuel-cell power modules from its joint venture with IVECO in Ulm (Germany) for the FCEVs to be launched in the EU market.
Nikola plans to expand its Coolidge manufacturing facility by 50,000 sq. ft. to accommodate initial fuel-cell power module assembly by 2023. The company is also expanding engineering and testing facilities to support the fuel-cell and vehicle validation and testing at Nikola’s Phoenix headquarters.
