Bosch also reduces stake in Nikola Motors

Bosch is set to provide the fuel cells for the trucks delivered by Nikola in Europe in the future. However, battery vehicles produced by Nikola together with Iveco in Ulm are expected to come to market first in 2021. The basis for this is the Iveco Stralis S-Way. Nikola plans to bring the fuel cell trucks to the roads from 2023 onwards. Whether Bosch will supply the components for this remains to be seen, as Bosch has now reduced its shares in Nikola. A Bosch spokesperson in the USA explained that the initial investment in the start-up was primarily intended to advance the development of hydrogen technology. After a legally mandated holding period, a portion of the shares was sold. However, the spokesperson did not provide a reason for the future reduction in participation.

In the USA, Nikola plans to source fuel cell technology from General Motors. According to a recent announcement, this is still planned, but the contracts have not yet been signed. However, GM and Nikola have already put an end to the Badger pickup, which GM was supposed to produce for Nikola in its factories.

According to an insider, Iveco remains committed to the planned joint venture for the "Tre," meaning that in Ulm, the hall where the Stralis was once manufactured has now been converted back for the assembly of heavy trucks, and the timeline has not changed either: Several functional prototypes with Nikola technology are said to have been shipped to the USA by now.

What does that mean?

It will be interesting to see how Nikola develops further: According to an insider at Iveco, the joint venture with Nikola has given them a two to three-year lead in fuel cell technology. It remains to be seen whether this advantage can still be maintained after recent events.