PHOENIX, AZ – Nikola Motor announced today that it will build hydrogen-electric semi trucks at a new 1-million-square-foot facility on the west side of Phoenix, Arizona, in nearby Buckeye.

The announcement represents more than US $1 billion in capital investment in the region by 2024.

“After 12 months, nine states and 30 site locations… Arizona has the workforce to support our growth and a governor that was an entrepreneur himself. They understood what 2,000 jobs would mean to their cities and state,” said Trevor Milton, Chief Executive Officer and founder, Nikola Motor . “We will begin transferring our R&D and headquarters to Arizona immediately and hope to have the transition completed by October 2018. We have already begun planning the construction for our new zero-emission manufacturing facility in Buckeye, which we expect to have underway by the end of 2019.”

While Nikola has yet to produce one of the trucks, it has more than 8,000 of the semis on pre-order. It also designs and manufactures energy storage systems and hydrogen stations, the latter of which will play a key role in the vehicle’s rollout.

“Nikola Motor Company’s selection of Arizona demonstrates that we are leading the charge when it comes to attracting innovative, industry-disrupting companies,” said Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, who before taking office was the Chief Executive Officer of Cold Stone Creamery. “This incredible new technology will revolutionize transportation, and we’re very proud it will be engineered right here in Arizona. I thank Nikola’s CEO Trevor Milton and his entire team for this significant investment in our state.”

The 500-acre site is at one of the entrances to Trillium at Douglas Ranch, a broader “smart city” being developed by El Dorado Holdings and JDM Partners, and projected to house more than 300,000 people.

“I’ve worked on many economic development issues in my career, but being part of this team that brings Nikola Motors to Arizona is very satisfying,” said Mike Ingram, founder and chairman of El Dorado Partners. “We look forward to announcing additional partners who will join Nikola at Douglas Ranch in the near future as we start to build momentum and unlock its full economic power.”