Nikola opens first HYLA hydrogen refueling station in SoCal

Friday, March 22, 2024

Nikola Corporation (Nasdaq: NKLA), a pioneer in zero-emission transport and energy solutions, recently inaugurated its first HYLA high-pressure modular refueling station in Southern California under the HYLA brand. This significant event attracted a diverse group of attendees, including fleet customers, Nikola’s sales and service network dealers, government representatives, media from the industry, and Nikola’s leadership and engineering personnel, all contributing to the project’s success.

The event featured speeches by Nikola executives and Joe Biagi, Fleet Director at Biagi Bros., along with officials from the City of Ontario and the office of Congresswoman Norma Torres, who handed out Certificates of Recognition. Attendees had the chance to participate in truck and hydrogen refueling demos, tours of the facility and equipment, and tech Q&A sessions with Nikola’s engineers about hydrogen safety and the HYLA ecosystem. Moreover, guests were offered rides in Nikola’s hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks, demonstrating the company’s cutting-edge technology already on the roads.

The Ontario refueling station, operational since last month, is set to fuel up to 40 Nikola hydrogen fuel cell electric Class 8 trucks daily. This facility is a key part of Nikola’s plan to establish up to nine refueling stations by mid-2024, aiming for a total of 14 by year-end.

“We are proud to commemorate this historic day as we celebrate the inauguration of the first HYLA hydrogen refueling station in Southern California. We extend our sincere gratitude to the city of Ontario for their invaluable support and collaboration in bringing this vision to life,” said President of Energy Ole Hoefelmann. “This moment marks the beginning of a transformative journey toward a more sustainable future for transportation. With several more stations planned this year, we are committed to driving positive change and leading the charge for zero-emission trucking solutions.”

Nikola promises round-the-clock support through HYLA Ambassadors and Operation Technicians to ensure a smooth refueling process for clients. Collaborating with industry frontrunners, Nikola is developing a solid hydrogen supply chain and enhancing its HYLA refueling network to meet the increasing demand. This expansion is expected to speed up the adoption of hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks and contribute to the transportation sector’s decarbonization.

“I welcome the news of HYLA constructing their first semi-truck hydrogen refueling station right here in Ontario. Clean and innovative technologies like battery-electric and hydrogen fueled trucks will create jobs and help the Inland Empire thrive, all while fighting the climate crisis,” said Congresswoman Norma Torres. “We must continue to invest in clean energy solutions like this to future-proof our communities and I look forward to seeing this project, and many others, come to fruition.”

The HYLA refueling network will provide Nikola’s hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles and other Class 8 customers with multiple refueling options, such as modular and permanent stations, customer-owned sites, and collaborations with public truck stops. This includes a recent decade-long agreement with FirstElement Fuel for a hydrogen refueling station in Oakland, California, underscoring Nikola’s commitment to building a comprehensive hydrogen fueling infrastructure.

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