Nikola Intellectual Property Acquisition Opportunity
- Full Stack Vehicle-to-Cloud EV Truck Management Software Platform
- 190+ Active U.S. & International Patents & Applications
- 170+ U.S. & International Registered & Pending Trademarks
- Domain Names Including NikolaMotor.com
- 5M Road Miles of EV Truck Analytics & Intelligence Data
June 18, 2025
Nikola Corporation was founded in 2015 with the goal of transforming the transportation industry through the development of innovative zero-emission vehicles and infrastructure solutions. The Company invested heavily in the development of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) and the supporting hydrogen fueling infrastructure. Nikola began commercial shipments of its Tre battery electric vehicle (BEV) in 2021 and commenced production of the Tre FCEV the following year.
To support its fleet of BEVs and FCEVs, Nikola developed cutting-edge software-defined vehicle (SDV) technology which includes a comprehensive ecosystem of software, analytics, and related IP that can be applied to any organization’s SDV application efforts. Nikola’s IP, including brand-related and technical assets, represents over a decade of R&D in hydrogen fuel cell development and fueling methodologies, BEV technologies, and nimble cloud-based EV management software.
Nikola’s patent portfolio encompasses approximately 190 active patents and patent applications across multiple jurisdictions, covering critical technologies in:
- Battery Systems
- Drivetrain & Power Management
- Fuel Cell Systems
- Manufacturing
- Thermal Management
- Vehicle Structure & Components
- Hydrogen Systems
Nikola’s complete digital EV truck software platform offers accelerated time to market with a superior SDV program. The software is comprised of 3.5+ million lines of code across vehicle, thermal, body, and frame controls, as well as 750k+ lines of code related to its digital cockpit software. Nikola’s cloud platform and full digital product portfolio includes human-machine interface, a mobile app, and multiple web apps providing complete connection between the driver, fleet operator, dealer, and service technicians.
Nikola has collected 3 years of data for its BEV and FCEV platforms from appx. 56,000 real customer routes per year. A rich analytics platform facilitates extensive insights into routes, charging and fueling, components, driver behavior, and more.
Growing Zero-Emission Vehicle Market
The global zero-emission vehicle market is projected to grow by nearly $500 billion from 2023 to 2032,* driven by increasingly stringent emissions regulations worldwide, corporate sustainability commitments requiring fleet decarbonization, government incentives for zero-emission vehicle adoption, and cost of ownership improvements for zero-emission vehicles.
Hydrogen Economy Expansion
Global investments in hydrogen projects exceeded $570 billion in 2023,** and hydrogen is increasingly recognized as a critical component of decarbonization strategies. The market continues to see the development of hydrogen hubs in key transportation corridors and decreasing costs of green hydrogen production.
- *https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/zero-emission-vehicle-market
- **https://www.jpmorgan.com/insights/sustainability/renewable-energy/hydrogen-fuel-q2-2024-green-economy-outlook
In addition to the technical advantages below, a buyer of Nikola’s IP can benefit from the Company’s high-recognition branding in the clean energy industry, offering strong symbolic and strategic marketing value for companies seeking quick entry or rebranding in the hydrogen, EV, and commercial mobility space.
Nikola has delivered 235 of its Class 8 hydrogen fuel cell trucks since they went on sale in Q4 2023 and delivered 94 updated BEV 2.0s to fleets and dealers as of January 2025. This installed customer base of nearly 330 trucks, operated by 32 distinct end fleets across both powertrains, is a potential customer for ongoing software support.
For Commercial Vehicle Manufacturers
- Accelerated Time-to-Market: Leverage proven hydrogen fuel cell tech to rapidly enter the zero-emission commercial vehicle segment
- Technological Differentiation: Proprietary technology with demonstrated industry-leading performance metrics
- Regulatory Compliance: Meet emissions standards with proven solutions
- Complementary Portfolio: Expand existing EV offerings with hydrogen fuel cell capabilities
For Energy Companies and Infrastructure Providers
- Vertical Integration Opportunities: Combine hydrogen capabilities with proprietary refueling and storage technologies
- New Market Entry: Leverage Nikola’s IP to accelerate entry into transportation energy markets
For Technology Companies and Investment Firms
- Strategic Patent Portfolio: Acquire defensible intellectual property with applications across transportation and energy sectors
- Platform for Innovation: Build upon Nikola’s foundational tech for next-gen applications
- Cross-Industry Applications: Apply hydrogen and battery technologies to adjacent markets and use cases
Interested parties may submit offers for some or all of the assets described herein.
Certain tangible assets are also being offered for sale by Gordon Brothers and Nations Capital. Tangible assets include finished FCEV trucks, machinery, equipment, inventory, raw materials, and more related to Nikola’s hydrogen fueling infrastructure systems. Additional information regarding available tangible assets is available here.
Nikola Corporation and its affiliates are debtors-in-possession in voluntary chapter 11 cases pending before the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, jointly administered under Case No. 25-10258. Hilco Streambank’s retention, process dates contained herein, potential designation of a stalking horse bidder or stalking horse bid protections, and transaction(s) related to this opportunity are subject to Bankruptcy Court approval.
