CNG long-haul trucks get a $27m boost as Westport rebrands to Aetherion
Aetherion Technologies unveils high-pressure direct injection tech for 12,000 trucks.
Aetherion Technologies has emerged as the new identity of Vancouver-based Westport Fuel Systems, marking a strategic shift toward compressed natural gas (CNG) for long-haul trucking in North America. The rebranding, effective Thursday, reflects the company’s renewed focus on high-pressure direct injection (HPDI) technology through its Cespira joint venture with Volvo Group.
The name change follows the July 2025 sale of Westport’s light-duty business to Heliaca Investments for $79.5 million, a move that allowed the company to streamline its operations. Aetherion’s CEO, Dan Sceli, described the rebrand as a way to signal the company’s return to its core technology—HPDI—which was invented by Westport co-founder Philip Hill in 1995.
“The bread and butter is the original foundation of the company, the original technology, HPDI,” Sceli said. “That’s really how it all started, and that’s the core we want to focus on—not trying to do 20 things halfway, but doing a couple of things really well.”
Natural Gas
From Westport to Aetherion: A strategic reset
The new name, derived from Greek roots meaning “clean air” and “motion,” aligns with the company’s vision for sustainable energy solutions. Shareholders approved the change at a June 30 meeting, and Aetherion’s shares are expected to trade under the new name on the Toronto Stock Exchange and Nasdaq once final approvals are secured.
Aetherion’s strategy hinges on HPDI, a technology that allows diesel engines to run on natural gas or hydrogen blends without major modifications. The system is already deployed in over 12,000 trucks worldwide, primarily through Cespira, the joint venture with Volvo launched in 2024. Aetherion holds a 55% stake in Cespira, while Volvo owns the remaining 45%.
HPDI and the push for CNG in long-haul trucking
The venture reported a 125% year-over-year revenue increase in the second quarter, reaching $27.1 million, according to the company’s August 11 filing. Sceli emphasized that while battery-electric and fuel-cell technologies have roles in transportation, they are not viable for long-haul trucking due to range and infrastructure limitations.
For North America, Aetherion is targeting CNG, leveraging existing pipeline infrastructure. At the ACT Expo in May, the company showcased a CNG-powered Volvo VNL 300 truck equipped with a high-pressure storage system, demonstrating a range of over 600 miles and fuel efficiency of up to 10 miles per gallon equivalent. Sceli noted that several large fleets have expressed interest, though regulatory certification remains a key hurdle.
Looking ahead, Aetherion sees hydrogen as a long-term opportunity but acknowledges cost challenges. Sceli pointed out that most of hydrogen’s expense lies in liquefaction and transport, with competitive pricing needing to approach $5 per equivalent gallon. Blending hydrogen into natural gas pipelines—an approach used by Hawaiʻi Gas for decades—could offer a cost-effective solution. Cespira and Volvo are already testing hydrogen HPDI on Volvo’s 13-liter engine, with a European commercial launch targeted before 2030.
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