Nikola Motor Company recently signed a $16 million order to purchase equipment for the first phase of its fuel cell development laboratory.

The order represents the initial installment in an overall investment plan that totals several hundred million dollars.  The company plans to reveal more about this facility at next month’s Nikola World event April 16-17 in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The laboratory is an advanced fuel cell research and development facility and will enable Nikola to develop, validate and test its entire fuel cell system, including membrane electrode assemblies, stampings, stacks, and power electronics.

Nikola’s lab will also include climate-controlled chambers and dynamometers to test components independently or as a complete powertrain system.

“This lab will be filled with extremely talented fuel cell engineers and is a critical part in our truck development, enabling Nikola to set a new efficiency benchmark for heavy-duty fuel cell systems,” said Trevor Milton, Nikola CEO.  “We believe the fuel cell will replace the diesel engine in the next 10 years. It is a race to the finish line now for our team. Other OEMs have expressed interest in using Nikola’s fuel cell drivetrain and hydrogen stations and we plan on making them available to other OEMs who share our vision.”