Cover - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2024	Oct. 28, 2024
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2024
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-38495
Entity Registrant Name	Nikola Corporation
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	82-4151153
Entity Address, Address Line One	4141 E Broadway Road
Entity Address, City or Town	Phoenix
Entity Address, State or Province	AZ
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	85040
City Area Code	480
Local Phone Number	581-8888
Title of 12(b) Security	Common stock, $0.0001 par value per share
Trading Symbol	NKLA
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		60,867,055
Entity Central Index Key	0001731289
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2024
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31