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The Sustainable Vehicle Industry Faces Constant Challenges, and Some Companies Struggle to Overcome Financial and Technological Barriers. A Hydrogen-Powered Truck Manufacturer That Has Been Compared to Tesla Is Going Through Tough Times
A startup that has been compared to Tesla and considered a promising company in the electric vehicle sector is now facing a bleak scenario. After filing for bankruptcy, the hydrogen-powered truck manufacturer sees its situation worsen even further.
The Nikola Corporation emerged with the promise of revolutionizing the electric and hydrogen-powered truck sector. The company was even compared to Tesla, with ambitious projects and innovative proposals.
In the first half of 2024, it delivered 120 units and seemed to be starting to recover from previous issues. But reality proved to be different.
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The impact of the controversial management by former CEO Trevor Milton still weighs heavily on the company, and the problems have only increased.
In February 2025, Nikola filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection under U.S. legislation.
The decision was expected, but it did not end the company’s difficulties. Now, a new challenge arises: the recall of nearly half of the hydrogen-powered trucks due to serious technical issues.
Defects in Trucks Aggravate Crisis
The current problem started in December 2024 when Nikola’s stock hit an all-time low after a year of declines.
The final blow came with a complaint from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The agency pointed out failures in the hydrogen fuel cells produced by Nikola, which could shut down unexpectedly. This would leave drivers stranded anywhere, without warning.
Tests conducted by the NHTSA confirmed the issue. During evaluations, a truck lost power from the fuel cell five times while driving on highways.
In each case, the vehicle had to rely solely on the electric battery to continue functioning. But not all trucks had this contingency option.
With the issue exposed, customer complaints arose. The first case came from a driver who, after driving 1,400 kilometers, reported the failure. Soon after, several other complaints appeared. In response, Nikola had to take action.
Now, the company needs to recover 95 of the 200 hydrogen-powered trucks it delivered. This means that Nikola will have to repair the vehicles or reimburse customers, even as it is in the bankruptcy process. The situation makes the company’s recovery even more challenging.
Financial Impact and Customer Complaints
Nikola trucks cost five to ten times more than a traditional class 8 truck. The final price still includes federal and local taxes, which account for about 22% of the value.
Furthermore, 10% of the total vehicle cost is not covered by tax incentives or subsidies. In the end, owners must bear 32% of the value of the truck without external assistance.
William Hall, founder of Coyote Container, was one of the customers who reported the situation. According to him, this percentage can mean an extra cost of US$ 160,000 for a vehicle priced at US$ 500,000.
“This is an amount that the truck driver has to pay out of pocket, with no guarantee that the vehicle will function correctly“, Hall stated.
Uncertain Future for the Hydrogen-Powered Truck Brand
Nikola has not yet officially commented on the case. However, the company is expected to offer a solution soon.
With bankruptcy declared and serious technical problems in its trucks, the situation is critical. The brand faces a dead end, and its survival in the transportation sector depends on the next decisions.
For now, customers and investors await answers. The outcome of this story could define the future of Nikola and the hydrogen-powered truck market.
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