Unlock stock picks and a broker-level newsfeed that powers Wall Street.
Business
Nikola’s Bankruptcy a Reality Check for Diesel Alternatives
Rob Carpenter
4 min read
The promise of zero-emission freight has suffered a big setback with Nikola Corp.’s bankruptcy. A company that once positioned itself as a disruptor in the trucking industry is dying a slow death. The electric- and hydrogen-powered truck manufacturer, once heralded as the Tesla of trucking, struggled with financial instability, supply chain challenges and a series of setbacks that ultimately led to its demise.
But Nikola’s downfall is bigger than just one company. It raises real questions about the viability of non-diesel alternatives in an industry that depends on power, reliability, and infrastructure stability. This is not just a bad day for Nikola’s investors and partners; it’s a reality check for the push toward green energy in freight.
What Nikola’s Bankruptcy Means for the Industry
At its peak, Nikola was a Wall Street darling, riding the wave of green energy hype and securing high-profile investors and strategic partnerships. The company promised a hydrogen-powered revolution, betting that trucking fleets would abandon diesel for cleaner alternatives. But instead of delivering, Nikola’s vision collapsed under financial mismanagement, production struggles and market skepticism.
For companies like Carter Machinery’s Etheros, which took a gamble on Nikola’s green technology, this bankruptcy is a hard hit to the credibility of alternative fuel trucking. Carter Machinery, a well-known CAT dealer, made an ambitious leap with Etheros, positioning itself as a key player in nondiesel energy solutions. With Nikola’s failure, the go-green push in heavy trucking takes another blow, reinforcing what many diesel lovers and green energy industry skeptics have argued: Diesel is king in power, reliability and infrastructure.
Nikola’s collapse also leaves investors, dealers and customers who placed faith in its hydrogen-powered trucking concept uncertain. Although the technology may have potential, its viability as a diesel replacement remains a significant hurdle, especially since the infrastructure for hydrogen refueling is still decades behind diesel’s availability and efficiency.
The Diesel Debate, Green Energy and Freight
The trucking industry, for good reason, has long been skeptical of full-scale electrification and hydrogen adoption. While governments, regulators and environmental groups push for zero-emission mandates, fleets and drivers live in the real world, where power, reliability and efficiency matter more than feel-good virtuous policies.
Nikola’s downfall is proof that the shift away from diesel is far more complicated than idealists assume. The main issues with replacing diesel in freight are not in short supply:
Diesel engines are unmatched in their ability to haul heavy loads over long distances with sustained torque and efficiency. Electric and hydrogen alternatives have struggled to match this performance, especially in long-haul applications.
The U.S. has hundreds of thousands of diesel fueling stations, while the infrastructure for hydrogen and charging networks is severely lacking, making fleet adoption a logistical nightmare.
Fleets can’t afford to gamble on a technology that is still inconsistent, costly and dependent on subsidies. Diesel remains the most economical and proven option for trucking businesses that need predictability and reliability.
Electric vehicle (EV) batteries depend on lithium, cobalt and rare earth materials, often sourced from politically unstable regions. Hydrogen production still relies on expensive and inefficient processes, making both options financially uncompetitive compared to diesel.
Cold weather and mountainous areas are concerns for power, torque and range. When the mercury drops, chemical and physical reactions inside an EV’s battery require more time. The cold slows these physical processes, reducing the power available to the EV.
Despite these challenges, policymakers continue pushing for diesel bans and strict emission regulations, often ignoring the realities of trucking operations and the lack of viable, scalable alternatives. Nikola’s failure is a stark reminder that wishful thinking doesn’t replace infrastructure, efficiency and market readiness.
Is There a Future for Hydrogen and Electric Trucks?
Nikola’s failure doesn’t mean the end of green trucking, but it further exposes the weaknesses of current technology and infrastructure. Companies still investing in nondiesel solutions need to reassess their strategies and address the core issues that have made diesel the dominant force in freight for over a century.
Hydrogen and electric trucks may eventually play a supporting role in regional and specialized operations, but the idea of a fully diesel-free trucking industry remains a distant, unrealistic goal. Even manufacturers like Daimler, Volvo and Tesla, which continue developing electric and hydrogen truck models, acknowledge the logistical challenges. Without massive investments in charging infrastructure, hydrogen refueling stations and better energy storage technology, the transition from diesel won’t happen anytime soon.
For now, Nikola’s bankruptcy is a harsh reality check for green energy advocates who underestimated the complexity of replacing diesel in freight. The road to sustainable trucking isn’t a forced transition from diesel but rather an evolution of technology that works in real-world applications. Until then, diesel remains the backbone of trucking, and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. My advice is to drive a truck, operate a fleet and then determine what energy you feel is necessary to accomplish that before pushing alternative energy “solutions.”
