Nikola Sues Tesla for $2bn

Electric/hydrogen truck company Nikola has filed suit in the USA alleging that Tesla stole the design of its futuristic truck to develop its own electric truck, the Tesla Semi.

In the lawsuit, Nikola claims it patented the design of its truck, the Nikola One, and Tesla 'stole' aspects of the design including the wrap-around windscreen, centrally-located doors and the bodywork.

Nikola said it received six design patents earlier this year for various elements of its hydrogen-electric truck, including the wrap windshield, side door and fuselage.

Tesla is promising to deliver a battery-electric truck next year.

"The Tesla Semi design is substantially similar to Nikola's unique design, and Tesla copied Nikola's patents," Nikola alleged in the lawsuit.

Tesla said: "It's patently obvious there is no merit to this lawsuit."

Nikola claims that in May 2016 the company “posted its design on its website and released a press release with the image of Nikola’s semi, the Nikola One.”

It further claims that a year later, Tesla came up with its design which was remarkably similar.

The lawsuit goes on to say that: “Nikola designed the wrap windshield, a unique feature in the trucking industry. The design is identifiable from a distance. The wrap windshield provides drivers an unobstructed view of the road. Tesla copied the wrap windshield, and advertised the view drivers had in its vehicle.”

And in Point 22, the suit says: “Nikola designed a mid-entry door, another first in the trucking industry. The door gave the driver access to the cab without any obstacles in the driver’s way. Tesla’s truck has a mid-entry door, and Tesla advertised the ease of access of its vehicle.”

We’ll keep you posted on how the suit pans out.