Five Nikola Electric Trucks Catch Fire at Phoenix Headquarters, Company Says ‘Foul Play Suspected’
Nikola, a startup specializing in electric and hydrogen-powered semi trucks, reported in a tweet that several of its trucks were damaged in a fire at its Phoenix, Arizona headquarters.
The company suspects foul play, as a vehicle was spotted in the vicinity of the affected trucks before the incident, and an investigation is currently underway.
A Nikola spokesperson stated that more information would be shared as it becomes available.
The fire was initially reported around 4:30 am MT, and as of approximately 8:00 am, firefighters were still spraying water on the trucks to cool down the battery packs before moving them to storage bins for further protection.
Fires involving electric vehicle batteries can be challenging to control due to the stored energy, as extinguished fires can potentially reignite through chemical reactions.
The damaged trucks were part of a larger fleet of over 30 vehicles stored at the headquarters facility.
The Phoenix Fire Department cannot confirm the possibility of arson until the investigation is completed, which may take days or even weeks.
Following the incident, Nikola’s stock price experienced an approximate 8% decline by late afternoon.
The company’s executives are currently seeking shareholder approval for a reverse stock split to increase the stock price, which currently stands at around $1.30 per share. Additionally, Nikola has announced significant spending cuts.
In 2020, Nikola faced a critical report by Hindenburg Research, which alleged various shortcomings and exaggerated claims made by the company. Nikola responded at the time, stating that the accusations were false.
