Nikola Corporation announced today that Nikola and Republic Services have discontinued their collaboration on refuse truck development.
The goal of the collaboration was to design and build an industry-first fully integrated refuse truck based on a zero-emission battery-electric drive platform and body while also integrating multiple new systems into a new state-of-the-art vehicle.
After considerable collaboration and review, both companies determined that the combination of the various new technologies and design concepts would result in longer than expected development time, and unexpected costs. As a result, the program is being terminated resulting in the cancellation of the previously announced vehicle order.
“This was the right decision for both companies given the resources and investments required,” said Nikola CEO Mark Russell. “We support and respect Republic Services’ commitment to achieving environmentally responsible, sustainable solutions for their customers. Nikola remains laser-focused on delivering on our battery-electric and fuel-cell electric commercial truck programs, and the energy infrastructure to support them.”
Nikola has laid out a roadmap that begins deliveries of Nikola Tre battery-electric semi-trucks in the U.S. in 2021. Nikola is also planning to break ground on its first commercial hydrogen station in 2021. The company’s fuel-cell-electric semi-trucks will be produced at Nikola’s Coolidge, Ariz., facility beginning in 2023.
Nikola names new executives
Nikola also announced Mary L. Petrovich has been appointed as a new independent director and has expanded Pablo Koziner’s role within the Nikola executive leadership team.
Over the past 30 years, Petrovich has engineered three private equity turnarounds and guided start-up ventures. She is currently the chairman of the board of two private companies: DealerShop, North America’s largest buying group for dealerships and collision centers, and Traxen, a software developer focused on devising the most useful combination of technologies to promote safe driving and more efficient fuel use for the heavy-duty trucking industry. Most recently, she served as executive chairman of AxleTech, where she helped shape the company’s electric vehicle strategy for the truck and bus markets, positioning it as a technology leader. She also previously held the position of president of Dura Automotive’s driver controls unit and served in various roles with increasing responsibility at AlliedSignal, Chrysler and General Motors.
In June 2020, Koziner joined Nikola as president, Nikola Energy to oversee Nikola’s hydrogen fueling and battery charging initiatives focusing on delivering and maintaining the energy infrastructure required to support Nikola’s battery-electric and fuel-cell electric vehicle programs. Koziner’s role has now expanded to include the commercial vehicle business and was recently named as president, Energy and Commercial. Within this new capacity, Koziner will maintain his energy responsibilities and lead vehicle business development, dealer development and administration, vehicle sales warranty and service.
As a 19-year veteran of Caterpillar, Koziner most recently served as vice president of CAT Electric Power and as president of Solar Turbines Incorporated (a Caterpillar Company).
