California spent more than $50 million subsidizing Nikola trucks after founder’s fraud indictment

The Los Angeles Times reports California spent more than $50 million helping customers buy more than 166 Nikola electric and hydrogen semis after founder Trevor Milton’s 2021 fraud indictment. An earlier promotional video showed an inoperable prototype rolling downhill. Nikola filed for bankruptcy in 2025, leaving owners without vehicle warranties. California’s Air Resources Board says Milton’s conduct did not affect the eligible vehicles’ viability or performance.