This Startup Is Trying To Delete 29% Of All CO2 Emissions

Remora retrofits semi-trucks and locomotives to extract and purify CO₂ from their exhaust. Its system uses porous pellets to trap CO₂ while other gases pass through, then offloads the captured gas as a liquid for customers in food and beverage, greenhouse, and water-treatment industries. Gross says the approach can reduce vehicle emissions while generating revenue for operators.

Gross traced the idea to a U.S. CO₂ shortage: breweries struggled to get enough even as trucks and trains emitted large quantities. He researched whether vehicles could capture and supply it, then partnered with Christina Reynolds, who had completed a University of Michigan PhD on the topic. His advice to founders is to learn by starting the work and recruit experts rather than waiting to become one themselves.

Remora applied to YC with an idea but no system and not yet incorporated. Gross says the program set a fast pace early. The company chose Wixom, near Detroit, to hire mechanical and electrical engineers with experience building equipment that withstands vibration and shock.

Remora fabricates and tests components in-house, including through a warehouse simulator built around a real truck engine and dynamometer. The setup lets the team vary engine loads and exhaust conditions without relying on open-road testing. Gross says a flexible design and tighter engineering-production loop helped improve energy efficiency, reduce system size, and raise capture efficiency and purity.

Remora says its truck device can remove up to 90% of CO₂ from exhaust and is developing a separate rail car to capture emissions from locomotives. Gross identifies modular kits for different vehicles and more in-house production as key scaling challenges. The company had raised $17 million and signed evaluation agreements with Ryder and Union Pacific; Gross said its long-term ambition is to capture a billion tons of CO₂ annually.