E.ON and Nikola collaborate on hydrogen to advance green mobility

E.ON and Nikola Corp. plan to combine advanced truck technology with service solutions and hydrogen infrastructure to advance green mobility in heavy-duty trucking. (Photo: E.ON)

E.ON, one of Europe’s largest operators of energy networks and energy infrastructure, and Nikola Corp., a zero-emissions transportation and energy infrastructure solutions provider, announced a joint venture that intends to combine next-generation Class 8 semi-truck technology with support solutions (e.g., service and maintenance) and a green and sustainable hydrogen infrastructure. The partnership has potential to transform the high-emission, European heavy-duty transport sector, the companies asserted, by providing an integrated mobility solution to promote the use of hydrogen.

The vision of the joint venture is to promote the advantages that hydrogen offers at cost parity or better than diesel based on the total cost of ownership, said E.ON. The goal is to make hydrogen available nationwide at stationary and mobile refueling points to ensure unrestricted green mobility for the heavy-duty trucking industry.

“At E.ON, our goal is to drive the energy transition in Germany and Europe. For this, we also need innovative customer solutions,” said Patrick Lammers, COO Customer Solutions at E.ON. “Our partnership with Nikola and the planned establishment of the joint venture are excellent examples. We can contribute our know-how in the hydrogen sector and help reduce many millions of tons of CO2. Nikola is an ideal partner for us, as we share the same vision: to develop innovative, pioneering solutions to create a greener, sustainable environment for our customers and society.”

Michael Lohscheller, president, Nikola Corp., added, “Nikola has a deep understanding of transport demands and will continue to develop cost-effective, fully sustainable solutions that involve our zero-emissions trucks and hydrogen infrastructure to our customers. This joint venture is a critical element in transitioning the transport sector and aligns with E.ON’s expertise in energy networks and customer solutions to lead the European transport sector.”

Both parties have signed a term sheet to underpin their collaboration and will be negotiating a definitive agreement to finalize the terms. The joint venture is expected to be finalized by the end of 2022 and will include the development of initial joint projects.