The potential deal is significant for Nikola as it's the first one since company founder Trevor Milton resigned in 2020 after being accused of lying about its technology. That sparked an SEC inquiry into the company's public statements and a plunge in its stock price. Since his departure, Nikola has focused on refining its heavy-duty truck and hydrogen fuel station strategy, jettisoning side projects Milton championed including a pickup truck and recreational vehicles. The first Tre trucks, powered by batteries and able to travel up to 350 miles per charge, are to get to customers this year. Longer-range Tres using fuel cell systems and able to travel up to 500 miles go into production in 2023. The news comes a day before Nikola is to discuss first-quarter results on May 7. Sales of trucks to TTSI are contingent on the "satisfactory completion" of the test phase and the trucking company obtaining some government funding, Nikola said.