Hyroad Energy was the successful bidder for 113 hydrogen fuel cell trucks, spare parts, software platforms and IP assets from bankrupt Nikola Corp. EV maker Lucid Motors previously secured the company’s Arizona plant.

The company says it plans to deploy the zero-emission trucks, primarily in California.

“This acquisition significantly advances Hyroad’s mission to provide turnkey hydrogen trucking solutions that reduce the complexity and risk typically associated with adopting zero-emission technologies,” said Dmitry Serov, CEO and founder of Hyroad Energy. “These trucks and the corresponding equipment and systems represent immediate capacity to put proven hydrogen fuel cell technology on the road to meet demand for zero-emission trucks.” 

Hyroad will receive 103 new Nikola Tre hydrogen-fuel-cell-electric trucks. The company says it will establish maintenance and parts facilities to support their operation.

Hyroad is building out hydrogen fueling infrastructure in California and says it will step in to support customers already operating Nikola trucks.

Nikola founder, Trevor Milton, who was convicted of fraud then pardoned by U.S. President Donald Trump while appealing his four-year sentence, took to social media and claimed he submitted a superior bid for the assets. Milton said his offer of about US$400,000 more than Hyroad’s was not accepted by the courts.