Nikola Motors has hired Jesse Schneider as vice president of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. This automotive industry veteran spent most of his career working for BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
Schneider has spent nearly 20 years in vehicle electrification, fuel cells, electric and hydrogen infrastructure and tanks at automakers in Germany, the United States and China.
He led a number of firsts related to fuel cell durability, hydrogen tanks and wireless charging. Jesse Schneider also organized the worldwide standardization for electric and fuel cell vehicle infrastructure. He also served as the chair of Hydrogen Fueling Standards and Specifications at SAE (J2601/2799) and ISO (TS 19880-1) and most recently, wireless charging at SAE (J2954).
At Nikola, the new VP will spearhead efforts with the Fuel Cell R&D Division working with Bosch in Germany and the hydrogen fueling technology team for the Nikola stations with NEL Hydrogen in Norway. He will also lead the development of the Nikola R&D Center in Phoenix.