Carbon Capture Moves From Power Plants to Truck Lanes

Remora’s truck-mounted CO₂ tech gains traction with Ryder and DHL as a bridge to electric fleets

2 May 2025

A US start-up is testing whether carbon capture can be taken on the road, as freight operators search for ways to cut emissions from diesel trucks that are likely to remain in service for years.

Remora, a Michigan-based company, has developed a truck-mounted system that captures carbon dioxide directly from a vehicle’s exhaust. The device, attached behind the cab, is designed to capture up to 90 per cent of tailpipe CO₂, which is then liquefied and stored onboard for later use or permanent storage.

The company says the technology offers a near-term option for an industry where alternatives remain scarce. Heavy-duty freight transport is one of the hardest parts of the economy to decarbonise, with electric trucks still limited by cost, range and charging infrastructure.

Large logistics groups have begun testing the system. Ryder and DHL are piloting Remora’s technology on parts of their fleets, viewing it as a way to reduce emissions without retiring diesel vehicles early.

Investors have also shown interest. Remora has raised $117mn from climate-focused backers, including Breakthrough Energy Ventures. Supporters argue that mobile carbon capture could reduce emissions while the transition to electric and hydrogen-powered trucks gathers pace.

Freight transport accounts for about a quarter of US transportation-related emissions. Most carbon capture projects so far have focused on stationary sources such as power plants and industrial facilities. By contrast, Remora’s approach avoids new pipelines or long permitting processes by using existing trucks.

Policy and regulation remain uncertain. Current US tax credits for carbon capture are largely designed for fixed installations and do not clearly cover mobile systems. Standards for verifying captured emissions from moving vehicles are also still being developed.

Despite these hurdles, interest is growing. “Mobile carbon capture is a game changer,” said Dr Andrea Black, a transportation emissions expert. “It is not a silver bullet, but it is a powerful bridge to the cleaner technologies of tomorrow.”

For now, diesel engines continue to dominate freight transport. Technologies such as Remora’s suggest that, while the shift away from fossil fuels may be gradual, emissions from today’s trucks may not have to wait for tomorrow’s fleets to fall.