Nikola, Chart Industries collaborate on Hydrogen storage, deployment technologies

Nikola Corporation, via the HYLA brand, and energy engineering firm Chart Industries, Inc. have recently executed a strategic collaboration agreement including liquid hydrogen storage tanks, transport trailers, and the development of new mobile and modular hydrogen refueling stations for quick deployment. 

The agreement also includes additional collaboration on the advancement of hydrogen technology for infrastructure and truck on-board fuel systems. Nikola has recently signed purchase orders with Chart for multiple liquid hydrogen storage tanks, mobile and modular refueling stations, and liquid hydrogen transport trailers to meet Nikola's needs for deploying the Nikola Tre hydrogen electric vehicles to support key customers and advance the efforts to decarbonize the transport sector. 

This relationship builds on a previously signed development agreement between Chart and Nikola to work together to develop innovative solutions for the hydrogen electric vehicle market, claimed Nikola Corporation. 

"Nikola is on a mission to transform the transportation industry and by aligning with forward-looking companies such as Chart, we are confident this ambitious goal will be achieved," said Michael Lohscheller, President and CEO, Nikola Corporation. "We know our customers are interested in transitioning to hydrogen quickly and seamlessly. Solutions like Chart's hydrogen transport trailers will play an important part in jump starting a hydrogen ecosystem."

Through this agreement, Chart is providing first-of-kind fully integrated mobile and modular hydrogen fueling stations for heavy-duty vehicles providing a quickly deployable fueling solution with lower capital requirements. This transportable fuel station lowers the barrier to entry and is an ideal solution for smaller fleets or any immediate and interim fueling needs. The dense liquid hydrogen storage and efficient liquid high pressure dispense pump also lowers station operating costs.

"We are excited to partner with Nikola and bring first-of-a-kind, quickly deployable hydrogen solutions to the market," commented Jill Evanko, CEO and President of Chart Industries, on the latest development. 

With a range of up to 500 miles, the Nikola Tre hydrogen EV is expected to have among the longest ranges of all commercially available zero tailpipe emission Class 8 trucks while realizing weight savings when compared to Class 8 BEVs with similar range.

The EV is well-suited for a variety of applications ranging from drayage and intermodal to metro-regional truckload and less than truckload to certain specialized hauling use cases, according to the manufacturer.