Cash-strapped hydrogen truck maker Nikola is facing tough times — and its most recent round of layoffs has halted production of its controversial hydrogen fuel cell semi trucks as the company faces down bankruptcy (again).
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I’ve been in and around the auto industry since the ’90s, and have written for a number of well-known outlets like CleanTechnica, the Truth About Cars, Popular Mechanics, and more. You can catch me on The Heavy Equipment Podcast with Mike Switzer, Electrek Daily Quick Charge, or chasing my kids around Oak Park, IL.
Nikola bankruptcy looms as hydrogen problems add up, Toyota is everywhere
On today’s heavy-duty episode of Quick Charge, we take a look at Nikola Motors’ troubling finances, reliability problems with their hydrogen semi trucks, and an all-new, all-different electric Toyota cute-ute makes its debut. Will it be enough to take Toyota to the front?
Expand Expanding CloseTesla loses HW chief to Amazon and Cybertruck might go to China after all
On today’s prime time episode of Quick Charge, Amazon is taking on Tesla with the launch of an online car shopping tool AND by snagging Elon’s longtime head of Autopilot hardware development. Tesla isn’t taking the news lying down, however – they’re eyeing new markets for Cybertruck expansion!
Expand Expanding CloseTesla Model Q rumors, EV sales set records, and $2B California solar
Tonight on Quick Charge, we wonder if the upcoming Tesla Cybercab could actually benefit from growing a few pedals. Meanwhile, Tesla Supercharger customers are getting a better deal this week, and there’s a new, $2 billion solar project coming on line in southern California.
Expand Expanding CloseRenault 5 snatches Model Y sales crown as France crosses 15% EV adoption
France may not have a functioning government but the French keep buying EVs, anyway – more than 15% of all new cars sold last month were EVs with the new, retro-tastic Renault 5 hot hatch taking the top sales spot.
Expand Expanding CloseE-quipment highlight: Makita XGT 40V 9″ power cutter
The new XGT 40V 9″ Power Cutter from Makita cuts through masonry and metal without gas, without oil mixing, without noxious exhaust, and without useless noise. This battery-powered machine means business!
Expand Expanding CloseFlat-pack OX electric truck gets a $163 million order, expands in Africa
Electric truck startup OX Delivers scored a $163 million multi-year deal to bring its tough, capable, and low-cost electric “trucks-as-a-service” vehicles to East Africa in a bid to bring e-mobility to the global south.
Expand Expanding CloseReport: EV charging sessions were up 50% YoY during Thanksgiving week
It’s been a week since the most politically-charged Thanksgiving week in four years, and the results are in: people are buying more EVs, and they’re not afraid to hit the road in their new, battery-powered conveyances. The automotive and EV charging industry analysts report that DC fast charging sessions were up nearly 50% compared to the same week last year.
Expand Expanding CloseHydrogen early adopter faces big problems amid Nikola challenges
Nikola stock sinks to a 52-week low, a NHTSA complaint claiming the fuel cell shuts down unpredictably, and one of hydrogen’s early adopters remains unconvinced. Is it time for Nikola to throw in the towel on hydrogen?
Expand Expanding CloseLion Electric lays off half its staff, looks to Groupe Mach for a bailout
Electric school bus maker Lion Electric has suspended manufacturing at its Joliet, Illinois facility after laying off nearly four hundred workers – more than half its global employees. The company hopes Canadian real estate developers Groupe Mach can save the day.
Expand Expanding CloseChina ducks EV tariffs, Tesla column stalks return, and an electric Cobra
On today’s exciting episode of Quick Charge, you can get steering column stalks on your Tesla, the Honda Prologue becomes the best-selling GM Ultium-based EV, a new electric Cobra surfaces, and more!
Expand Expanding CloseTesla wins the charging standard race, Ford has record EV sales, and more
On today’s episode of Quick Charge, explaining EV charging to your in-laws is about to get a whole lot easier thanks to a new universal charging standard and universal plug & charge to streamline payment processing coming in 2025.
Expand Expanding CloseJaguar rebrand is a great success, but Elon’s $55 billion payday is a huge fail
For the second time, a judge strikes down Elon Musk’s $55 billion Tesla CEO pay package as the company struggles to avoid seeing its sales slip year over year for the first time. Plus: an all-new look for Jaguar this Giving Tuesday on Quick Charge!
Expand Expanding CloseCybertruck discounts, VW worker walk offs, Stellantis’ CEO fired – it’s only Monday!
The Cybertruck may have come off the line strong, but it’s already burned through its million-plus reservation list and Tesla is starting to pull demand levers with discounts, leases, referrals, and more. Will it be enough to help spur sales? All this and major waves at VW and Stellantis on today’s thrilling episode of Quick Charge!
Expand Expanding CloseGet these 0% financing deals before Trump kills the EV tax credits
We don’t want to sound alarmist, but it sure looks like President-elect Donald Trump and his billionaire buddies are plotting to kill federal EV tax credits somewhat sooner than later – and the tariffs they’re promising aren’t going to make cars cheaper anytime soon, either. So if you’re in the market for a new EV, the time is now to score a sweet 0% financing deal and get those tax credits (while you still can).
Expand Expanding CloseArt, science, and the Atlas Copco E-Air H185 commercial electric air compressor
With its compact dimensions, outstanding performance, and quiet, emissions-free operation, the Atlas Copco E-Air H185 is changing the game when it comes to indoor construction and demolition projects. Now, it’s changing an altogether different game: art.
Expand Expanding CloseCity of Irvine cleans up while it greens up with first electric street sweeper
Residents of the City of Irvine will soon be able to enjoy paths and bikeways that are both cleaner and greener thanks to the addition of the City’s first-ever electric street sweeper from Dulevo. Meet the aptly-named Evie!
moreRenault E-Tech T semi truck gets 600 km range for ’25, logs 19 million miles
Renault Trucks doesn’t get a lot of headlines outside of France, but the company is serious about electric trucking – and its new 2025 MY E-Tech T electric semi truck is packing serious range, too: more than 600 km (about 375 miles) per charge!
Expand Expanding Close$400 million electric heavy equipment order from China is biggest ever (so far)
Australian mining company Fortescue is making headlines again, after it placed a huge, $400 million order for over 100 new electric equipment assets with Chinese heavy equipment company XCMG (Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group). The deal is the largest single equipment export deal in XCMG’s history.
Expand Expanding CloseBMW plans to switch Regensburg plant logistics fleet to hydrogen
Bavarian automaker BMW has announced plans to convert the intralogistics fleet at its Regensburg plant from battery to hydrogen power, with FCEV forklift and tugger trucks set to replace the entirety of its existing fleet by 2030.
Expand Expanding CloseSuper changes to Supercharger network, EV sales set to spike in Q4, and more
On today’s exciting episode of Quick Charge, Tesla is making significant updates to its Supercharger network as it welcomes new makes and models to the service. Meanwhile, analysts are expecting a big EV market spike ahead of the new year.
Expand Expanding CloseGavin Newsom isn’t afraid of Elon, 650 hp Kia EV6, and Green Machine deals
On today’s fact-checking episode of Quick Charge, we’ve got a showdown brewing between California Governor Gavin Newsom and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, an updated 650 hp Kia EV6 GT that’s ready to take on the world, and some sweet deals on battery-powered goodies.
Expand Expanding CloseHyundai doesn’t care what Trump does, California does it anyway, big Texas solar
On today’s episode of Quick Charge, Hyundai doesn’t care if incoming President Trump kills the $7,500 Federal EV tax credit, California’s planning to offer an EV tax credit of their own, and there’s a massive new solar project in Texas prairie land.
Expand Expanding CloseKempower, Proviridis partner on novel electric semi truck charging solution
French infrastructure specialists Proviridis have partnered with EVSE manufacturer Kempower to deliver a novel, underground charging solution for electric semi trucks designed to easily integrate into existing truck depots.
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