An additional $16.3m has been awarded to Nikola – a provider of zero-emissions transportation and energy supply and infrastructure solutions – to support the establishment of seven open-network hydrogen refueling stations.

Nikola was awarded U$3.3m by the EnergIIZE West Sacramento California Energy Commission, U$1.6m by the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee, U$7m by the Sacramento Metro AQMD, and U$4.4m by the South Coast AQMD which is still pending final approval.

These latest grants bring Nikola’s total to U$58.2m, which includes the recently announced $41.9m Trade Corridor Enhancement Program (TCEP) grant award which represents six hydrogen refueling stations along California freight corridors within the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD), San Diego County Air Pollution Control District and Mojave Desert AQMD.

The additional grants build on Nikola’s strategic partnership with Voltera, with the pair aiming to establish 50 HYLA stations in the North American region over the next five years.

“The California grant awards and government funding demonstrate the strong support for the Nikola hydrogen infrastructure brand HYLA’s mission of establishing a comprehensive zero-emission transportation solution to help fleets achieve climate goals and improve air quality in the most impacted communities,” said Carey Mendes, president, Nikola Energy. “We continue to be grateful for the leadership demonstrated by California agencies in supporting the buildout of a zero-emissions ecosystem. Building an integrated, hydrogen ecosystem to support hydrogen fuel cell electric truck deployment and creating a scalable energy business, is a top priority for us.”