Nikola Purchase Paves Way For Watercraft, UTVs

Nikola Powersports Co., Salt Lake City, Utah, announced it has acquired Free Form Factory Inc., with the plan to expand its reach to include watercraft and utility vehicles (UTVs). Free Form Factory, Sacramento, Calif., designed electric watercraft and proprietary manufacturing technology.

As part of the purchase, Jordan Darling, founder and CEO of Free Form Factory, will become vice president of Nikola and be responsible for the watercraft and UTV lineup. “By April 2018, Nikola will have a production intent sit down personal watercraft that we believe will outperform the top internal combustion versions on the water and provide up to a five-hour ride time with zero emissions and far-less noise,” said Trevor Milton, Nikola Motors chief executive officer.

Nikola said the prototype 107 kWh Nikolz Zero UTV recently completed a series of exercises at Camp Pendleton in California. The Zero UTV towed more than 4000 lb., fit onboard the Marines’ helicopter transport, climbed a 45% grade with four passengers, towed a 120 mm mortar, performed a full stop and start on a 35% grade and ran through a series of tests.

A ride-and-drive program is scheduled for the first quarter of 2018 for the Zero UTV.