big nikola motor truck plant to be built in arizona

A new 1 million square foot facility for the production of hydrogen fuel cell trucks is set to go up in Coolidge, Arizona.

The Nikola Motor Company has announced that it wants to build the plant on roughly 400 acres inside what is called the Inland Port Authority/Pinal Logistics Park as a move to meet the demand for its highly popular class eight trucks.

The project, is being done in conjunction with Saint Holdings, a land holding company based in Scottsdale.

The move complements a larger trend that is seeing a general rise in vehicle manufacturing throughout southern Arizona.

Because the facility will eventually hire a workforce of more than 2,000 people, Trevor Milton, the chief executive officer of Nikola, noted the positive community aspects of the project. “Imagine what it will do for property values, schools, parks, and other city improvements,” Milton said in a statement.

Nikola officials are hoping to see work begin on the new manufacturing plant later this year.

Based in Phoenix, the five year-old Nikola Motor Company is named after legendary inventor Nikola Tesla, and specializes in electric semi-trucks as well as electric components and drivetrains.

Customer interest and demand in Nikola’s electric Class 8 heavy truck has been significant with more than 13,000 of those vehicles, according to the company, already pre-ordered.

Nikola’s plans for opening up a new manufacturing facility in Coolidge have been in the talking stage for several months.

Last September members of the Coolidge City Council entered into a development agreement with the company that included a package of tax incentives, including a 49 percent sales tax reimbursement, to get the facility built in Coolidge.

By Garry Boulard

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