The electric vehicle market is booming. But not every idea survives. One truck made headlines for both ambition and controversy the electric Badger. After fading from view, it’s resurfacing in a shocking revival. The Nikola Badger is more than just any EV. It was once tied to blockbuster deals and larger scandals. From a $2 billion investment by GM to fraud allegations against Nikola’s founder, the Badger has had a lot of lives. Now, in 2025, a new firm is attempting to revive it.
Embr Motors, led by TV host Dave Sparks, assumed control. With past connections and fresh motive behind him, Sparks is optimistic about the Badger’s future. Not a rebirth but a restart. And a lot of people are watching closely.
What Is the Nikola Badger All About?
The Nikola Badger is an electric truck. It was made to compete with such trucks as the Cybertruck and F-150 lightning. The big selling point of it? A combination of electric and hydrogen. This hybrid version was going to alter the EV game. Most people were enthusiastic with its slick design and robust specifications. Those dreams were however buried in delays, fraud accusations and leadership scandals.
Yesterday the Badger is again in the news. So will it finally see production? Embr Motors believes so. And Nikola, with his former difficulties, might accrue as well.
Who Is Behind the Nikola Badger Now?
Dave “Heavy D” Sparks leads the revival. Known from TV, he has long worked with custom vehicles. But now, he’s aiming higher. His company, Embr Motors, just bought the rights to the Nikola Badger. This isn’t Sparks’ first interaction with the truck. He promoted the Badger in the past. He even got stock in Nikola for his efforts. Now, he and his partner Cole Cannon are making the next big move. They’re using their own money and Nikola’s support to take over.
Nikola still owns 30% of Embr Motors. But Trevor Milton, Nikola’s disgraced founder, is officially out. Sparks and Cannon made sure of that. This new chapter is clean, bold, and full of risk.
A Quick Recap of the Nikola Badger’s Journey
The Badger’s story is filled with highs and lows. Let’s explore its path:
| Year | Milestone |
| 2014 | Nikola founded to make electric big rigs |
| 2020 | Nikola Badger officially revealed |
| 2020 | GM signs $2B deal to support production |
| 2020 | Allegations against Nikola begin |
| 2022 | Trevor Milton convicted of fraud |
| 2024 | Embr Motors acquires Badger rights |
Nikola refunded all customer pre-orders. The Badger program was frozen. But now, two prototypes exist, and Sparks owns them both.
The Big Deal: Sparks, Embr, and Nikola
Sparks’ plan goes beyond ownership. Embr Motors wants to rebuild the electric Badger from scratch. The team includes EV partners and new tech minds. Their goal is a working, sellable truck. Sparks revealed the buy in a YouTube video. He confirmed the deal cost tens of millions. Embr got the rights to Badger, off-road vehicle designs, and watercraft concepts.
Nikola loaned the money to make the deal happen. In return, they got a 30% equity stake in Embr. They also reclaimed 500,000 shares Sparks received earlier.
Stakeholders in the Deal:
| Name | Role in Deal |
| Embr Motors | Buyer of Nikola Badger assets |
| Nikola | Seller, investor with 30% ownership |
| Dave Sparks | CEO of Embr, public face of the Badger |
| Cole Cannon | Embr partner, co-signatory on the deal |
| Trevor Milton | Excluded legally from involvement |
The Challenges in Resurrecting the Badger
Bringing back the Nikola Badger is not easy. It was never fully developed. There’s no working production line. Designs need updating. Tech must be tested. Public trust is another hurdle. Many still associate the truck with fraud. Sparks must win back confidence. He needs to show this is a fresh start. Yet, there’s space in the market. Electric trucks are trending. Tesla, Rivian, and Ford are proof. If Embr delivers, it could carve out its share.
Can the Badger Compete in 2025?
There’s real competition in 2025. The EV space is growing fast. But each brand has its place. The electric Badger could stand out with its hybrid approach. Hydrogen and battery power together? That’s rare. If Embr keeps that promise, it might offer something unique. Range, power, and style will matter most.
EV Truck Market Snapshot (2025):
| Brand | Model | Range (mi) | Power Type |
| Tesla | Cybertruck | 500+ | Electric |
| Ford | F-150 Lightning | 300+ | Electric |
| Rivian | R1T | 314 | Electric |
| Nikola Badger | In development | Unknown | Electric+H2 |
Sparks must deliver on performance. Without real specs, buyers won’t wait.
What Happened to Nikola Badger?
The truck was announced in 2020. It promised both electric and hydrogen power. It aimed to rival the biggest EV pickups in the market. But shortly after the launch, controversy hit. Reports revealed misleading claims from the company. This led to a full investigation. Trevor Milton, the founder, was charged. Customers were refunded. The program was paused. Now in 2025, Embr Motors is taking a shot at reviving it.
What Happened to the CEO of Nikola?
Trevor Milton was the original CEO. He played a major role in promoting the electric Badger. But later, he was found guilty of fraud. He had misled investors with false claims. In 2022, he was sentenced to four years in prison. Today, he has no involvement in Nikola or Embr Motors. His exit marked a turning point for the company and its projects.
The Future of Nikola Badger Truck and Its Market Role
As EV interest rises, demand grows for alternatives to existing electric trucks. The Nikola Badger truck could fill a unique role. It brings something rare—a hybrid of hydrogen and electric. This gives the Badger potential advantages in range. Buyers also want innovation. If Sparks follows through, it might redefine electric pickups. The Nikola Badger release date is still unknown. But early signs suggest Embr Motors is aiming for something soon. Until then, the prototypes keep interest alive.
Can You Buy a Nikola Badger?
Currently, the electric Badger for sale is not an option. Embr Motors owns the two working prototypes. They are not available to the public. However, Embr plans to build more. If development succeeds, pre-orders or early sales may happen. For now, interested buyers must wait. But excitement around the Nikola Badger truck price is growing. Industry guesses suggest it could range from $60,000 to $90,000. That would make it competitive with other high-end electric pickups.
Conclusion: Will the Nikola Badger Finally Win?
The road for the Nikola Badger has been rough. From big promises to public scandals, this truck became a symbol of failure. But now, it’s back with a new chance. Dave Sparks, with Embr Motors, believes in the truck’s future. Backed by new money, a strong team, and Nikola’s partial support, the Badger may roar again. But the challenges are big. Trust must be rebuilt. Tech must be proven. And rivals are far ahead. But the idea of combining hydrogen and electric power still excites many. Nikola stands to gain too. Their hands-off role may help them recover past losses. For now, they let Sparks take the lead. But their stake means they’re invested.
In the end, the electric Badger is more than a truck. It’s a story of redemption. Of comeback. Of proving that failures can fuel future success. If Sparks delivers on his vision, the Badger could still become the electric beast it once promised to be. For fans of the Nikola Badger diesel brothers and EV lovers alike, this might be a comeback worth waiting for.
FAQs
Q1. What is Nikola Badger?
Nikola Badger is an electric and hydrogen hybrid pickup truck initially developed by Nikola Motors. It’s now being revived by Embr Motors.
Q2. Who owns Nikola Badger now?
Embr Motors, led by Dave Sparks, currently owns the electric Badger assets and prototypes.
Q3. Is Nikola Badger available for sale?
No, the Nikola Badger is not yet for sale. Embr Motors plans to develop it further before offering it to customers.
Q4. What happened to the CEO of Nikola?
Trevor Milton, the former CEO, was convicted of fraud and sentenced to four years in prison in 2022.
Q5. What is the electric Badger stock doing now?
The electric Badger stock is not traded separately. It’s part of Nikola Corporation’s main stock, which has fluctuated since the company’s controversies.
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