Verne’s cryo-compressed hydrogen truck holds 87% more fuel, cuts costs by 40%
Hydrogen trucking has long been positioned as a clean alternative to diesel, but practical challenges around storage and distribution have somewhat slowed its adoption. Verne says it has the answer.
The California-based startup has successfully tested the world’s first cryo-compressed hydrogen (CcH2) Class 8 truck, a development it claims could make hydrogen-powered transport more practical and affordable.
A new approach to hydrogen storage
Hydrogen is usually stored in one of two ways: as a compressed gas at high pressure, or as a liquid at ultra-low temperatures.
Verne’s CcH2 system combines both, allowing 33% more hydrogen storage than liquid hydrogen and 87% more than conventional 700-bar tanks.
More hydrogen per tank means longer range and fewer refuelling stops – one of hydrogen’s biggest advantages over battery-electric alternatives.
There’s also the cost factor. Storing and transporting hydrogen can be somewhat expensive, but Verne says its system cuts distribution costs by 40% compared to existing methods.
By reducing energy-intensive compression and minimising boil-off losses, CcH2 could make hydrogen an even more viable fuel for logistics and industry.
Road testing in California
Verne put its tech to the test in Southern California in late 2024, with its hydrogen-powered truck covering hundreds of miles and refuelling multiple times, including in rugged off-road conditions.
The results, the company says, proved the system’s reliability in real-world conditions, paving the way for commercial trials in 2025.
One of the first commercial applications will be mobile hydrogen distribution. Hydrogen-powered generators are increasingly being used at construction sites, warehouses, ports, and remote EV charging stations, but delivering the fuel can be a logistical challenge.
Verne believes its system can help bring hydrogen to these locations more efficiently.
Scaling up the technology
Since its founding in 2020, Verne has been steadily developing its technology. In 2022, it received ARPA-E funding to refine cryo-compression.
A year later, it demonstrated a world-record 29 kg hydrogen storage tank at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
Now, with backing from Alberta Innovates and Diesel Tech Industries, the company is moving toward real-world deployment.
What’s next?
Verne’s next goal is to bring onboard CcH2 storage to long-haul trucks. By offering greater range and lower costs, the company believes its system can make hydrogen a serious contender for heavy-duty transport, where battery-electric solutions struggle with weight and charging times.
Verne CEO Ted McKlveen said: “Across sectors, decarbonization efforts are being hindered by limited access to clean energy and zero-emission alternatives that meet operational standards.
“CcH2 can serve these customers and replace fossil fuels in some of the most demanding, most essential sectors of the economy.”
With key industry partnerships in place, Verne is positioning itself as a serious player in next-generation hydrogen infrastructure.
If upcoming trials confirm its early success, cryo-compressed hydrogen could become a key enabler of hydrogen trucking at scale.
