Verne unveils world-first cryo-compressed hydrogen truck
Verne has revealed the world’s first heavy-duty truck powered by cryo-compressed hydrogen (CcH2) at the Alberta Motor Transport Association Innovation Expo.
The vehicle uses Verne’s cryo-compressed hydrogen system, which boosts storage density by 87% compared to traditional hydrogen technologies, allowing it to achieve diesel-equivalent range and payload.
Verne’s partners, including Diesel Tech Industries, contributed the dual-fuel technology, paving the way for commercial pilots in Canada and the U.S.
Cryo-compressed hydrogen
Cryo-compressed hydrogen refers to hydrogen that is both cooled to cryogenic temperatures (below -253°C) and compressed to high pressures.
By cooling and compressing hydrogen, the system increases fuel density by 33% over liquid hydrogen and a staggering 87% over standard 700 bar compressed gas hydrogen.
This means more fuel, in less space, extending vehicle range without compromising payload.
For heavy-duty trucks, this system brings diesel-parity – solving one of the biggest barriers to zero-emission transportation.
Considering the operational limitations of current battery-electric options in this sector, it’s a significant milestone for hydrogen as a viable alternative in long-haul trucking.
Retrofit and dual-fuel opportunities
The truck features Diesel Tech Industries’ dual-fuel system, which allows a blend of diesel and hydrogen.
This set-up enables fleets to integrate hydrogen technology into existing diesel trucks without having to overhaul all of their vehicles.
By retrofitting, companies can test hydrogen-powered trucks within their existing infrastructure – a bridge solution that accelerates adoption without the up-front costs of transitioning to hydrogen or battery-electric-only fleets.
Environmental impact and emissions
With heavy-duty transportation accounting for 12% of global CO2 emissions, hydrogen technology like this is vital.
The cryo-compressed hydrogen system not only cuts emissions but also provides a scalable solution for industries that rely on long-range, heavy-haul transport.
It addresses the growing pressure on transport sectors to adopt cleaner technologies without sacrificing efficiency or increasing costs.
Future potential
Verne, with support from Alberta Innovates and the Hydrogen Centre of Excellence, plans to conduct commercial pilots across Canada and the U.S. The tests will focus on improving range, payload, and overall performance in real-world conditions.
Verne aims to reduce hydrogen delivery costs by up to 40%, by addressing both the operational and infrastructure challenges of hydrogen.
Supported by prominent backers such as Trucks Venture Capital and Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund, Verne is at the forefront of transforming hydrogen into a mainstream fuel source for heavy-duty applications.
As Verne CEO Ted McKlveen stated: “This is a major milestone for the hydrogen industry and a big step toward decarbonizing trucking at scale.”