Nikola, OPAL to jointly develop hydrogen fueling for heavy fleets in North America
The initial focus of the collaboration is on developing “behind the fence” infrastructure, although companies will also evaluate opportunities for public access hydrogen stations.
Nikola Corporation, a provider of zero-emissions transportation and energy infrastructure solutions, and OPAL Fuels LLC, a company delivering renewable natural gas (RNG) and renewable fueling infrastructure for heavy-duty truck fleets, have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the development, construction, and operation of hydrogen fueling stations in North America and the use of RNG in hydrogen production.
Under this engagement, Nikola and OPAL Fuels intend to co-develop and co-market hydrogen refueling infrastructure to accelerate the adoption of heavy-duty zero-emission fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEV), according to a company’s press release.
The initial focus of the collaboration is on developing the infrastructure required to serve large private fleets that utilize their own dedicated property fueling infrastructure "behind the fence." Nikola and OPAL Fuels will also identify and evaluate opportunities to establish public access hydrogen stations.
This collaboration will combine Nikola's proposed FCEV bundled lease offer, which will include Nikola's FCEVs, vehicle service and maintenance and hydrogen fuel supply, with OPAL Fuels' experience in developing, constructing, and operating heavy-duty truck fueling stations to deliver “a complete end-to-end solution”, says the companies. In addition, both parties plan to leverage OPAL Fuels' growing portfolio of RNG supply for the delivery of the hydrogen at the stations.
OPAL Fuels has constructed more than 350 RNG fueling station projects and has over 15 years of relationships with trucking fleets across the continent. Nikola's Tre FCEVs for the North American market are slated for a 2023 launch from the company's Coolidge, Arizona manufacturing facility.
