Verne's high-density cryo-compressed hydrogen technology maximizes storage density to improve range and payload for heavy-duty vehicles
Edmonton, AB, Canada, September 26, 2024 — Verne and its industry partners announced the completion of the first heavy-duty Class 8 truck powered by cryo-compressed hydrogen (CcH2). Verne’s CcH2 fuel storage system maximizes hydrogen storage density, increasing vehicle range while decreasing vehicle weight and storage system cost. Verne showcased the truck at the Alberta Motor Transport Association Innovation Expo in Edmonton, where fleets had the chance to inspect the completed truck. Verne will soon begin drive testing of the truck in advance of multiple commercial pilots.
Verne’s cryo-compressed hydrogen technology involves cooling and compressing hydrogen to achieve the maximum hydrogen density of 73 g/L, a 33% improvement over liquid hydrogen and an 87% improvement over traditional 700 bar compressed gas hydrogen. Heavy-duty transportation is responsible for 12% of global CO2 emissions, and current zero emission options fail to meet the range and payload requirements of heavy-duty truck fleets. By increasing hydrogen density, CcH2 is the first zero-emission fuel to enable heavy-duty vehicles to meet diesel-parity range and payload.
The first-of-kind cryo-compressed hydrogen truck uses Diesel Tech Industries’ 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. DTI’s Guardian Hydrogen Diesel System can serve as an important bridge technology for the trucking industry, as it allows fleets to trial hydrogen fueling and driving without requiring investment in a new fleet of trucks.
Verne and DTI will demonstrate the range and payload improvements of high-density CcH2 fuel with the Guardian Hydrogen Diesel System. Verne will 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 it believes that all three technologies will play an important role in decarbonizing the heavy-duty transportation sector.
Verne previously achieved a CcH2 storage record during a stationary demonstration of a 29 kg storage system at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and completed drive testing of a fuel cell electric vehicle powered by CcH2 with a leading global vehicle manufacturer. Verne is also applying its unique CcH2 technology to hydrogen densification and distribution to bring down the cost of delivering hydrogen by as much as 40%. This novel distribution platform will accelerate the use of hydrogen in several sectors that currently rely on diesel, including heavy-duty trucks and off-road equipment.
“Demonstrating the first Class 8 truck powered by cryo-compressed hydrogen will be a major milestone for the hydrogen industry and a big step towards decarbonizing trucking at scale,” said Ted McKlveen, Verne Co-founder & CEO.
“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" added Rebecca Goldsack, COO of Diesel Tech Industries, who led integration of the vehicle.
Verne was supported on this project by Alberta Innovates through their Hydrogen Centre of Excellence program. “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,” said David Van Den Assem, Director of the Hydrogen Centre of Excellence at Alberta Innovates.
Edmonton Global introduced the 5,000 Hydrogen Vehicle Challenge, which aims to deploy 5,000 hydrogen or dual-fuel vehicles in Western Canada over the next five years. “Verne’s innovative technology and partnership with Diesel Tech Industries is a clear 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,” added Malcolm Bruce, CEO of Edmonton Global.
About Verne
Verne was founded in 2020 to develop high-density hydrogen storage solutions required for deep decarbonization. Verne’s platform unlocks zero-emission operations in sectors including trucking and hydrogen distribution. Verne is financially supported by leading commercial entities, including Trucks Venture Capital, Collaborative Fund, Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund, NextEra 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 DieselTech 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.
January 2026
Verne is proud to be recognized as one of the top 100 innovators on the GlobalCleantech100!
Verne was recognized under the Energy & Power group for our work developing on-site power and cooling solutions that meet the speed, efficiency, reliability and sustainability needs of the data center industry.
Read more and access the full report: https://cleantech.com/the-global-cleantech-100/
December 2025
Innovative solutions are required to efficiently address the growth in demand for power from data centers. Verne is establishing a Data Center Innovation Hub at our Pennsylvania location to develop next-generation power and cooling solutions in collaboration with our technical partners.
Thank you to Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development for highlighting Verne's work in advancing critical energy solutions: https://pagetsitdone.com/key_industries/energy/case-study-verne
.png)
July 2025
Muncy, PA, July 10, 2025 - Governor Shapiro announced the establishment of Verne’s new manufacturing facility in Muncy, PA. Verne will produce storage vessels for efficiently transporting hydrogen and other low-carbon molecules. The project will create 61 new jobs in Lycoming County and establish a domestic supply of critical energy storage infrastructure.
Energy demand is growing rapidly in sectors including data centers, robotics and advanced manufacturing. The nation’s aging electricity grid is struggling to meet the growth in energy demand and is constraining the growth of businesses in these key sectors. Verne has developed energy solutions to flexibly and efficiently deliver power to data centers, construction sites, ports, airports and other critical sectors. Establishing this manufacturing facility will allow Verne to scale up our production and deploy energy solutions that keep these critical industries running.
“After conducting a nationwide search, we determined that North Central Pennsylvania was the perfect place to establish our manufacturing footprint. The proximity to key partners in the region was a crucial factor, as it will allow Verne to leverage their expertise to optimize our supply chain and manufacturing processes,” said Ted McKlveen, Verne Co-founder & CEO. “This facility will accelerate our impact in delivering energy to power critical industries that are currently not being served by our nation’s electricity grid.”
Verne received $1.27 million in support from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: “This investment in Verne is another example of how the Shapiro Administration is diversifying our energy sector while fostering innovation and supporting the Commonwealth’s vital manufacturing industry,” said DCED Secretary Rick Siger. “It also shows what Governor Shapiro’s 10-year Economic Development Strategy is achieving — firmly establishing Pennsylvania’s status as a leader in innovation, economic development, and job creation.”
Verne is thankful for the support of Governor Shapiro, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), and the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce for this development.
About Verne
Verne’s mission is to decarbonize the most challenging sectors of the economy. Verne provides modern and rapidly deployable power solutions to critical sectors including data centers, construction sites, ports, and airports. Verne is supported by Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund, Breakthrough Energy Fellows, Caterpillar VC, NextEra Energy Resources, United Airlines Ventures Sustainable Flight Fund, Collaborative Fund, ARPA-E, The U.S. Army, and other leading organizations.
