​​​Verne unveils world-first cryo-compressed hydrogen heavy-duty truck

Edmonton, Alberta [September 26, 2024] — Today, Verne and its industry partners debuted the world’s first heavy-duty Class 8 truck powered by cryo-compressed hydrogen (CcH₂). The vehicle was unveiled at the Alberta Motor Transport Association Innovation Expo taking place in Edmonton. The first-of-kind cryo-compressed hydrogen truck uses Diesel Tech Industries’ (DTI) Guardian Hydrogen Diesel System, which is a retrofit of a traditional diesel engine to enable the vehicle to run on a blend of diesel and hydrogen.

Verne’s CcH₂ fuel storage system represents a significant step forward for hydrogen-fueled transportation technology. The novel storage system allows heavy-duty vehicles to store more energy onboard while using fewer heavy, expensive storage tanks. Verne’s CcH₂ technology works by cooling and compressing hydrogen to 23 g/L internal density — hydrogen’s maximum density. This allows vehicles equipped with Verne’s technology to store 33% more hydrogen compared to liquid hydrogen and 87% more compared to conventional 700 bar compressed hydrogen gas. 

By enabling fleets to travel longer distances at a lower cost, this breakthrough technology is a significant step forward for the 5,000 Hydrogen Vehicle Challenge, which aims to get 5,000 hydrogen or dual-fuel vehicles on the road in Western Canada in five years. The technology will contribute to de-risking vehicle ownership by making hydrogen-powered trucks more accessible and efficient for commercial use — generating demand that will help build out a reliable hydrogen refueling network across Western Canada.

Verne will soon begin third-party drive testing of the truck in advance of multiple commercial pilots in 2025. Verne and Diesel Tech Industries (DTI) will demonstrate the range and payload improvements of high-density CcH₂ fuel with the Guardian Hydrogen Diesel System. Verne plans to conduct demonstrations and commercial pilots with leading vehicle manufacturers and fleets in Canada and the United States using dual-fuel engines, hydrogen combustion engines and hydrogen fuel cells, as all three technologies will play an important role in decarbonizing the heavy-duty transportation sector.  

Verne previously achieved a CcH₂ storage record during stationary demonstration of a 29kg storage tank at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and completed drive testing of a smaller-scale vehicle powered by CcH₂. Verne is also developing CcH₂ refueling, densification and distribution solutions to enable the full ecosystem of cryo-compressed hydrogen for heavy-duty transportation.  

Heavy-duty transportation is responsible for 12% of global CO₂ emissions, and Verne’s technology will act as a solution to meeting the range and payload requirements of heavy-duty truck fleets where current zero emission options face significant challenges.

Last April, Verne was granted funding through Alberta Innovates and Emissions Reduction Alberta to support the development and demonstration of its CcH₂ Class 8 truck. In an announcement at the 2024 Canadian Hydrogen Convention, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith committed $57 million in technology and innovation funding to advance hydrogen projects in Alberta, with Verne being one of 28 recipients.  

Quotes:

“Demonstrating the first ever Class 8 truck powered by cryo-compressed hydrogen is a huge milestone for the hydrogen industry and a big step towards decarbonizing trucking at scale”  

Ted McKlveen, Co-founder & CEO, Verne

“Diesel Tech Industries is thrilled to partner with Verne in integrating the Verne CcH2 system with our Guardian Hydrogen Diesel System. This collaboration allows us to maximize onboard hydrogen storage while maintaining the flexibility and reliability of the diesel engine. The seamless retrofit of this dual-fuel solution—without altering the truck's wheelbase—meets our customers' demands for extended range and fewer tanks, all while enabling the use of sleeper cabs. This partnership underscores our commitment to driving the energy transition in heavy-duty trucking, setting new standards for sustainability and operational efficiency."

Rebecca Goldsack, COO, Diesel Tech Industries

“Alberta Innovates positions Alberta as a world leader in the innovative production, deployment, and use of hydrogen across our economy. The cryo-compressed hydrogen (CcH2) technology on this truck is an important step forward to broadening the use of hydrogen in the transportation industry and meeting the goals of the 5,000 Hydrogen Vehicle Challenge.”  

David Van Den Assem, Director of the Hydrogen Centre of Excellence at Alberta Innovates.

“Verne’s innovative technology and partnership with Diesel Tech Industries is a demonstration of the coordinated and aggressive action taking place in the Edmonton Metro Region to drive hydrogen technology adoption in our commercial transportation sector. This announcement adds to the growing momentum behind the 5,000 Hydrogen Vehicle Challenge and is another important piece to the infrastructure needed to support the transition. Congratulations to Verne and DTI on this exciting milestone.”

Malcolm Bruce, CEO, Edmonton Global

About Verne  

Verne was founded in 2020 to develop high-density hydrogen storage solutions required to decarbonize heavy-duty transportation. Verne’s platform unlocks zero-emission operations in sectors including trucking, aviation, port vehicles, mining, and hydrogen distribution. Verne is financially supported by leading commercial entities, including Trucks Venture Capital, Collaborative Fund, Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund, Next Era Energy Resources, United Airlines Ventures Sustainable Flight Fund, Caterpillar VC, and Newlab. Verne is also supported by Breakthrough Energy Fellows, the Department of Energy’s ARPA-E, The U.S. Army, Alberta Innovates and other agencies. For more information, visit www.verneh2.com.

Company contact: contact@verneh2.com

About Diesel Tech Industries  

Diesel Tech Industries, based in Edmonton, Alberta, is a pioneer in transportation technology, specializing in innovative solutions for the trucking industry. The Guardian Hydrogen Diesel System represents their latest advancement, aimed at reducing emissions and enhancing operational efficiency in diesel vehicles through dual-fuel hydrogen blending technology. For more information about DTI and its initiatives, visit www.dtiguardian.com.

About the 5,000 Hydrogen Vehicle Challenge

We’re designing Canada’s roadmap to a net-zero future — starting in the Edmonton region. The ultimate goal of the 5,000 Hydrogen Vehicle Challenge is to get 5,000 hydrogen or dual-fuel hydrogen vehicles on Western Canada’s roads within five years. This initiative, heralded by Edmonton Global, is bringing together industry leaders and champions from across the entire hydrogen value chain to decarbonize the commercial transportation sector with hydrogen technology. And when we prove it works here, the same model can be used nationwide

Visit 5000hydrogen.ca to learn how you can participate in the Challenge.  

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