Just last week we wrote about General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) announcing a strategic partnership with Nikola (NASDAQ:NKLA), giving it an 11% stake in the company. As part of the deal, GM will produce the Nikola Badger by the end of 2022 while Nikola also gains access to GM’s Ultium battery system and Hydrotec fuel cell technology.

"Nikola is one of the most innovative companies in the world. General Motors is one of the top engineering and manufacturing companies in the world. You couldn’t dream of a better partnership than this," Nikola founder Trevor Milton said of the announcement.

Shares of both companies jumped on the news, with shares of Nikola gaining more than 40%. For Nikola, however, the enthusiasm was short-lived as the company faced pressure for the rest of the week after being accused of being a fraud.

"Nikola is an intricate fraud built on dozens of lies over the course of its Founder and Executive Chairman Trevor Milton’s career," Hindenburg Research wrote.

"We have gathered extensive evidence—including recorded phone calls, text messages, private emails and behind-the-scenes photographs—detailing dozens of false statements by Nikola Founder Trevor Milton."

The extremely detailed report has 53 questions for Milton to answer before coming to the conclusion that "Nikola is a massive fraud constructed on dozens of lies."

"We have nothing to hide and we will refute these allegations. They have already taken up more time and attention than they deserve," Nikola said in response.

"We have retained leading law firm Kirkland & Ellis LLP to evaluate potential legal recourse, including with respect to the activist short seller and any others acting in concert."

Shares of Nikola obviously didn't react well to the company being accused of fraud. Shares gave up all of their gains from the GM news and then some, ending the week more than 40% below the highs following the GM news on Tuesday. Shares of Nikola are now down nearly 70% from their high in June.

Well-known short-seller Citron Research agreed with Hindenburg Research's assessment of Nikola, tweeting "Congrats to Hindenburg for exposing what appears to be a total fraud." Citron also said it would cover half of all legal expenses Hindenburg Research may accumulate.

GM is standing by Nikola despite the allegations of fraud.

"We are fully confident in the value we will create by working together," GM said.

"We stand by the statements we made in announcing the relationship."

It appears Nikola will have a legion of detractors that believe the company is a fraud to deal with just like it's larger rival Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) has had to for years.

BEIJING — Chinese automakers have announced plans to increase sales of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, a niche segment in the world's biggest auto market, and the government is expected to announce supportive new policies, possibly as early as this month.

SAIC Motor, China's biggest automaker, which has partnerships with Volkswagen and General Motors, said on Sunday it plans to sell over 10,000 hydrogen fuel cell vehicles by 2025.

Commercial vehicle maker Beiqi Foton Motor, a BAIC unit, said last week it aims to sell 4,000 hydrogen vehicles by 2023, and 15,000 such vehicles by 2025.

The announcements came after a finance ministry official said earlier in September that China will roll out a new package of policies to support hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

China now has a fleet of just over 7,000 hydrogen vehicles, compared with over 4 million pure battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Current policies to support electric vehicles offer subsidies on sales. But new supportive policies will require local city governments and companies to build up a more mature supply chain and business model for the industry. Three industry sources familiar with policy discussions said authorities could announce a new policy as early as this month.

Pilot cities will likely include Beijing, Shanghai, as well as cities in northern Shanxi and eastern Jiangsu provinces, according to sources, who declined to be named as the issue is not public.

The Finance Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Some global automakers from Toyota to Hyundai have already announced plans for hydrogen vehicles in China

https://www.autoblog.com/2020/09/14/hydrogen-vehicle-sales-china/

Nikola Corporation and General Motors Co. have announced a strategic partnership that begins with the Nikola Badger and carries cost reductions through Nikola’s programmes, including: Nikola Badger, Nikola Tre, Nikola One, Nikola Two and NZT. As part of the agreement, Nikola will utilize General Motors’ Ultium battery system and Hydrotec fuel cell technology, representing a key commercialization milestone for General Motors.

Nikola will exchange $2 billion in newly issued common stock for the in-kind services and access to General Motors’ global safety-tested and validated parts and components. General Motors will be subject to a staged lock-up provision beginning in one year and ending in June 2025. General Motors will engineer, homologate, validate and manufacture the Nikola Badger battery electric and fuel cell versions.

Trevor Milton, founder and executive chairman, Nikola, said: “You couldn’t dream of a better partnership than this. By joining together, we get access to their validated parts for all of our programs, General Motors’ Ultium battery technology and a multi-billion-dollar fuel cell programme ready for production. Nikola immediately gets decades of supplier and manufacturing knowledge, validated and tested production-ready EV propulsion, world-class engineering and investor confidence. Most importantly, General Motors has a vested interest to see Nikola succeed. We made three promises to our stakeholders and have now fulfilled two out of three promises ahead of schedule. What an exciting announcement.”

Mary Barra, chairman and CEO, General Motors, said: “This strategic partnership with Nikola continues the broader deployment of General Motors’ all-new Ultium battery and Hydrotec fuel cell systems. We are growing our presence in multiple high-volume EV segments while building scale to lower battery and fuel cell costs and increase profitability. In addition, applying General Motors’ electrified technology solutions to the heavy-duty class of commercial vehicles is another important step in fulfilling our vision of a zero-emissions future.”

The agreement with Nikola extends General Motors’ utilization of its fuel cell technology to the Class 7/8 semi-truck market and represents a high-volume commercialization of its leading Hydrotec fuel cell system and complements the company’s battery-electric propulsion. Fuel cells will become increasingly important to the semi-truck market because they are more efficient than gas or diesel. General Motors sees additional growth opportunities in multiple transportation, stationary and mobile-power end markets.

General Motors’ battery development work is ongoing. Its Ultium battery technology roadmap includes silicon anodes and lithium metal anodes, which will improve vehicle range, affordability, and reduced dependence on rare and costly metals. It is already demonstrating automotive-grade durability and significantly higher energy density.

Nikola will be responsible for the sales and marketing for the Badger and will retain the Nikola Badger brand. The Badger was first announced in Februay 2020 and will make its public debut in December 2020 at Nikola World 2020 in Arizona. Badger production is expected to start in late 2022 at a location to be announced at a later date.

The first heavy trucks powered by zero-emissions hydrogen fuel cells are set to be hauling freight on New Zealand highways as soon as early next year.

In a key step toward establishing a hydrogen transport infrastructure, Hiringa Energy and US-based Hyzon Motors have announced a heads of agreement that secures access for Hiringa and its fleet partners to the supply of zero-emission heavy goods vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells.

Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) combine hydrogen (stored onboard the vehicle) and oxygen (from the atmosphere) to generate electricity that powers the vehicle. The only tailpipe emission is water vapour.

Hyzon and Hiringa Energy have teamed up to bring hydrogen-powered heavy trucks to New Zealand

FCEV trucks have the benefit of being an electric vehicle, but with comparable weight and power to diesel-powered trucks, and have a similar refuelling time of around 15-20 minutes

Hyzon Motors, based in New York, is developing a range of heavy and medium trucks along with buses and coaches powered by PEM (proton-exchange membrane) fuel cells.

The global launch for the first production vehicles is expected in late-2020 and work is also continuing on both light truck and van models, as well as a 140-tonne road train application for use in parts of Australia.

New Plymouth-based Hiringa Energy and its partners plan to roll out over 1500 FCEVs by 2026. The trucks will come in a variety of right-hand-drive configurations with a gross combined mass (GCM) of over 50-tonne including 8x4 and 6x4 rigid and prime movers with driving distances of up to 500km.

“This is an exciting milestone for Hiringa Energy and our partners,’’ said Dan Khan, Hiringa’s chief technology officer.

Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) combine hydrogen (stored onboard the vehicle) and oxygen (from the atmosphere) to generate electricity that powers the vehicle. The only tailpipe emission is water vapour.

“It comes on the back of over three years of detailed planning and analysis working together with heavy fleet operators, government and leading technology vendors such as HYZON Motors.

“The FCEV truck market is growing rapidly, with enormous demand coming out of the US and Europe.

“So, for New Zealand to be able to secure this agreement with Hyzon demonstrates New Zealand’s leadership in how we are approaching the hydrogen FCEV opportunity.

“We look forward to getting these trucks on our roads early next year and putting them through their paces prior to widespread rollout for the New Zealand trucking industry in 2022.’’

The initial phase comprises 20 trucks in 2021. The trucks will be fuelled by Hiringa’s nationwide hydrogen refuelling network located at partner sites such as Waitomo Group’s existing fuel stops.

The network will expand to eight stations across the North and South Islands by 2022 as part of a phase 1 network plan. It’s estimated the network will be able to service 100 per cent of North Island and 82 per cent of South Island heavy freight routes.

Phase 2 will expand the network to at least 24 stations by 2025, providing coverage for 95 per cent of New Zealand’s heavy vehicle routes.

“The Hiringa hydrogen infrastructure deployment will position New Zealand to become a global leader in the adoption of zero-emission heavy vehicle technology, and we are pleased to be playing a majorpart in this transition,’’ said Craig Knight, co-founder of Hyzon Motors.

part in this transition,’’ said Craig Knight, co-founder of Hyzon Motors.

An artist’s impression of hydrogen fuel cell heavy trucks on Kiwi roads.

“We see NZ as an early adopter, and almost unique in being able to establish a minimum viable network on hydrogen filling right off the bat.

“Hiringa has strong support from trucking companies, government and commercial partners to get working on decarbonisation of commercial transport at a far quicker pace than most believe possible.”

He said Hyzon’s heavy-duty fuel cells were “best in class” in terms of durability and power output.

“This heads of agreement with Hiringa closely follows the signing of an agreement for Hyzon to supply hydrogen fuel cell-powered coaches to Western Australian iron ore miner Fortescue Metals Group’s Christmas Creek operations. We are excited to be rapidly growing our presence in Australia and New Zealand and look forward to playing our part in the global decarbonisation story,” Knight said.

Establishing hydrogen as a viable heavy transport fuel requires investment in the refuelling network, suitable vehicles and partners willing to operate them.

“New Zealand is set to be one of the first countries in the world to be able to offer a zero-emission national supply chain,’’ said Andrew Clennett, CEO of Hiringa.“This agreement helps bring a major piece of the puzzle together for zero-emission supply chains, delivering an exciting solution for the high utilisation heavy trucking sector, and complements the partnerships we have been growing with trucking industry leaders such as TIL Group and TR Group,’’

The New Zealand government has recently confirmed provisional support of $20 million towards the establishment of Hiringa’s nationwide refuelling network

https://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/122636171/zeroemission-hydrogen-heavy-trucks-to-hit-kiwi-roads

トヨタの燃料電池バスとホンダの給電機や蓄電池を組み合わせて活用する（クリックして拡大）

トヨタ自動車とホンダは2020年8月31日、可搬型の外部給電機やバッテリーと、燃料電池（FC）バスの給電機能を組み合わせた移動式発電・給電システム「Moving e」を構築し、実証実験を開始すると発表した。実証実験は2020年9月からスタートする。対象地域は商用車向けの水素ステーションがある関東地域となりそうだ。 　トヨタ自動車はMoving eの取り組みに合わせて従来型のFCバスから水素タンクの容量を大幅に増やし、発電量454kWh、最高出力18kWに性能を高めた。水素ステーションから片道100km圏内の避難所などに3日間給電し、また水素ステーションに戻るような使い方を想定している。FCVへの水素充填（じゅうてん）は、電気自動車（EV）の充電と比べて短時間で完了するため、電源が必要とされる地域で活動し、水素ステーションで水素を充填した後に短い時間で現地に戻ることも可能だ。 　従来の電動車では供給できない大容量の電力を供給できるFCバスと、持ち運べるさまざまなタイプの給電機やバッテリーを組み合わせて大規模な“電気のバケツリレー”を行い、V2L（Vehicle to Load）のニーズや課題を検証する。運んだ電気は、非常時のスマートフォンやPCなどの充電の他、停電中に自宅での生活を継続したり、避難所を運営したりするための電源として分け合う。非常時だけでなく、イベントや屋外での活動などで平時にも使ってもらうことを目指す。 新開発の燃料電池バスは「発電所レベル」 　トヨタ自動車は2018年3月に燃料電池バス「SORA」を発売、路線バスとして導入が進められている。Moving e向けに開発した燃料電池バス「CHARGING STATION」は、SORAをベースに高圧水素タンクの本数を増やした。SORAで使用する高圧水素タンク10本に加えて、新開発のタンク9本を床下に追加した。水素貯蔵量はSORAの24kgからほぼ倍増の47kgとなる。新開発の高圧水素タンクは従来よりも小型になったが体積効率が改善している。FCスタックはSORAと共通だ。 　高圧水素タンクの追加により、乗車定員は27人で路線バスとしてはかなり少なくなるが、旅客輸送でも使用できるという。また、非常時に車内で仮眠をとるなどの使い方も想定している。 　Moving eの取り組みでは、ホンダが持つ大中小の可搬型電源を使用するが、まずは車両からの電力を家庭用電源に変換する外部給電機「Power Exporter 9000」をつなげる。Power Exporter 9000は定格出力が9kVA（9000VA）で、エアコンなどの家電にも電気を供給できる。CHARGING STATIONは移動式の発電機としての用途を重視するため外部給電口は2つに増やしており、Power Exporter 9000も2つ接続できる。そのため、車両としての出力も18kVAだ。 　本来は規制で10kVAを超える出力を持つものは発電所扱いとなるが、「トヨタのおかげで例外的に認められた」（本田技術研究所 先進パワーユニット・エネルギー研究所 エグゼクティブチーフエンジニアの岩田和之氏）という。既存の乗用車でも外部給電に対応したモデルが複数あるが、電力供給の大本に発電量の大きな電動車を使用することでV2Lの新たな可能性やニーズを探る。 　Power Exporter 9000は、小型のポータブル蓄電機「LiB-AID E500」や、交換式バッテリー「モバイルパワーパック」の充電と給電を行う試作機「Mobile Power Pack Charge & Supply Concept」に電力を供給する。 　充電したLiB-AID E500やMobile Power Pack Charge & Supply Conceptは必要な場所に持ち運んで電源として利用する。 電源を屋内に持ち込めることを重視 　Moving e全体では、FCバスのCHARGING STATIONが1台、Power Exporter 9000が2台、LiB-AID E500が20台、モバイルパワーパックとMobile Power Pack Charge & Supply Conceptは36セットを使用する。ホンダはガソリンやカセットボンベで作動する発電機をラインアップに持つが、これらは一酸化炭素が多く発生するため屋内では使用できない。屋内に持ち込める蓄電機や給電機の活用を進めることもMoving eの狙いとなる。 　ホンダのモバイルパワーパックは、バッテリーを稼働率の低い製品に専用で使うのは“もったいない”という考えの下、汎用（はんよう）性を持たせたバッテリーだ。電動バイクから外したモバイルパワーパックを住宅に持ち込むなど、さまざまな用途で共用する前提で開発した。また、電動バイク本体とバッテリーを分けて販売してユーザーが所有するのは電動バイクの本体のみとし、バッテリーはその都度利用する形にすることで、所有コストを下げる効果もある。 　モバイルパワーパックを駆動用バッテリーに使用する電動バイクは既に国内外で市場に出ている。東南アジアではモバイルパワーパックを充電するステーションの実証実験も実施。バッテリーの電力の残量が少なくなったときに、充電済みのバッテリーと使用済みのものを充電ステーションで交換しながら使用するという試みだ。実証実験を実施。充電の待ち時間がない手軽さが好評だとしている。 　モバイルパワーパックの充電ステーションは、2020年9月にスタートする大阪府内の実証実験でも導入する。充電ステーションは定置用蓄電池としても機能するため、設置するコンビニエンスストアでは停電時にレジの稼働などを継続する上で役立つとして好意的だという。 　Moving eの取り組みは、電動車活用社会推進協議会で トヨタ自動車 FC事業領域 統括部長の濱村芳彦氏と本田技術研究所の岩田氏が意気投合したことで始まった。台風や豪雨、地震など災害で起きる停電が長期化する例が多いことや、働き方の多様化が進む中で、オフィスだけの災害対応では社員を守れなくなることを踏まえ、協業を決めた。

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/d445119f2f08a228fd96795b26a7c757bb815ab5