Can Hyroad’s Nikola Fleet De-Risk Hydrogen Freight?

Hyroad Energy is preparing to restore connectivity to Nikola's hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles through a December 2025 relaunch that could signal a turning point for zero-emission freight operations across North America.

The initiative follows Hyroad's acquisition of substantial assets from Nikola Corporation and addresses a critical gap in fleet management capabilities that emerged earlier in the year.

From July 2025, cellular connectivity to production trucks was discontinued, creating operational challenges for fleet operators who lost access to live data, remote vehicle management and digital monitoring systems.

The acquisition by Hyroad Energy has created a potential solution to these connectivity issues whilst establishing a foundation for expanded hydrogen trucking deployment.

Connectivity restoration 

Hyroad, now operating the largest Nikola fleet, is introducing a subscription-based service designed to reinstate truck-to-cloud connectivity across all Nikola Tre BEV and FCEV vehicles.

The service will provide access to the Nikola Fleet web application, the Drive mobile application and continuous cellular data transmission for fleet management purposes.

The acquisition encompasses 113 hydrogen fuel cell trucks, alongside spare components, software platforms and intellectual property assets secured through Nikola Corporation's bankruptcy auction. This portfolio includes 103 new Nikola Tre hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks, plus supporting operational infrastructure and system technologies.

"This acquisition significantly advances Hyroad's mission to provide turnkey hydrogen trucking solutions that reduce the complexity and risk typically associated with adopting zero-emission technologies," says Dmitry Serov, CEO and Founder of Hyroad Energy.

"These trucks and the corresponding equipment and systems represent immediate capacity to put proven hydrogen fuel cell technology on the road to meet demand for zero-emission trucks."

Trucks-as-a-service approach

Hyroad's operational framework integrates technology, infrastructure and service delivery into a unified ecosystem.

The company's hydrogen trucks-as-a-service model provides fleet operators with comprehensive solutions that include vehicle provision, maintenance programmes, hydrogen supply and refuelling station access under a consolidated pay-per-mile pricing structure.

This approach could eliminate barriers traditionally associated with clean transport adoption, particularly the substantial upfront capital requirements and operational complexity. By consolidating vehicle supply, hydrogen production and refuelling infrastructure under single-source management, Hyroad aims to optimise utilisation rates whilst minimising downtime and maintaining cost competitiveness.

The trucks will operate primarily throughout California, where Hyroad continues expanding its hydrogen refuelling infrastructure network. The company is also establishing maintenance and parts facilities to support fleet operations.

Zero-emission commercial vehicle progress

Nikola Corporation has developed battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell electric truck technologies aimed at decarbonising logistics operations.

According to its 2023 Sustainability Impact Report, Nikola achieved commercial launch of its Tre FCEV, recognised as the first hydrogen Class 8 truck assembled in the United States, whilst securing 100 new sales orders and introducing its HYLA hydrogen energy brand.

"I am thrilled to help put the remaining trucks to work and support all the ones already out in the wild providing zero-emission moves to shippers," writes Robert Kelly, Vice President of Business Development at Hyroad Energy, on LinkedIn.

The company has developed modular refuelling stations and expanded operations into Canada.

Nikola's Arizona manufacturing facility operates partially on solar energy and achieved a 45% waste diversion rate. Through battery recycling and remanufacturing initiatives, the company reclaimed 95% of lithium-ion battery materials.

Hyroad's strategy focuses on scaling hydrogen production, reducing carbon intensity and achieving cost parity with diesel fuel to accelerate decarbonisation across heavy transport sectors.