Time is running out: Who will back this climate tech breakthrough?

In 2023, Barclays selected hydrogen truck startup HVS for its Unreasonable Impact mentorship program, supporting climate tech companies in achieving their goals. At an intensive seven-day event, Barclays brought together top global mentors and advisors to assess cutting-edge technologies, founders, and business strategies.

Barclays’ in-house hydrogen technology and investment specialist advised HVS that its vehicle control technology was ideal for licensing, given the collapsing financial landscape for EV and hydrogen truck manufacturers, where securing capital for vehicle production had become virtually impossible.

Fast forward to 2025, and Barclays was right—a record number of EV and hydrogen truck startups have collapsed due to lack of funding. However, the technology Barclays identified as high potential has now been recognised by PwC, which has selected HVS for its Future50 list of top climate innovations.

The Technology Driving This Recognition

The breakthrough solution gaining attention is AI Cruise Control—an AI-powered, plug-and-play cruise control system that retrofits onto existing diesel trucks to cut fuel costs and lower carbon emissions. Its technical name is AI-SEMAS™ (Systems, Engineering, Modelling, Analysis & Simulation).

Developed by Dr. David Telford—a Chartered Energy Engineer, Fellow of the Institute of Energy, and former nuclear physicist—AI-SEMAS™ is built on decades of expertise in advanced control systems. Dr. Telford has worked on groundbreaking projects, including the UK Fast Reactor, thermal reactor initiatives, and the design of the £333M Aberdeen TECA net-zero energy system.

Why AI Cruise Control is a Game-Changer

✔ Saves money – £2,500 per truck annually
✔ Cuts carbon – 5 tonnes of CO₂ per truck annually
✔ Creates revenue – Unlocks empty load cargo sharing through geo-spatial data insights

The Road to Billion-Dollar Licensing Revenue

A valuation report by Inngot IP forecasts that AI-SEMAS™ has the potential to generate billions in licensing revenue over the next decade, positioning HVS as a future unicorn company in emissions reduction technology.

From Crisis to Commercialisation: £9M to Save this Game-Changing Climate Tech

HVS is now just 12 months away from full road testing and revenue generation. However, like many high-potential startups, it faces the critical funding gap before commercialisation—often called the "valley of death." With its cash runway exhausted, HVS has just four weeks to secure an investor or shut down.

With just £9M needed to complete this final stage, HVS is poised to revolutionise heavy-duty transport, setting a new benchmark in AI-powered carbon reduction. Dr. David Telford, the mind behind AI Cruise Control, has penned an open letter to Barclays, formally requesting the funding. By making it public, he invites climate tech investors and stakeholders worldwide to step forward. This is a defining moment for climate tech investment. In just four weeks, this breakthrough solution could either be launched—or lost forever.