Hyundai will set up a car production plant (combustion engine and electric) in Saudi Arabia. Simultaneously, however, Hyundai will be sharing its hydrogen expertise with Saudi Arabia, with a view to applications in commercial vehicles.
A memorandum of understanding was signed on Sunday 22nd October, during President Yoon Suk Yeol’s visit to Riyadh. It involves Hyundai and three other partners: KATECH (Korea Automotive Technology Institute), Air Products Qudra* and SAPTCO (Saudi Public Transport Company). Hyundai will be working together to set up an ecosystem dedicated to mobility. The declaration of intent includes bus tests and research projects. The aim is to adapt the technology to local climatic constraints.
Hyundai will supply buses to the country’s public transport company, which will collect and analyse data with a view to converting its fleet. The Korean giant has extensive experience of fuel cells and hydrogen. It has also developed a hydrogen-powered truck that has been running in the country since 2021. “This partnership with the country’s key stakeholders represents an important step in our efforts to establish a sustainable hydrogen value chain in Saudi Arabia,” commented Jaehoon Chang, President of Hyundai Motor Company. “We also plan to continuously develop the hydrogen-based mobility industry, in line with Saudi Arabia’s ambition to achieve carbon neutrality.”
This is indeed an ambition that the kingdom is aiming for by 2060.
*A joint venture between Air Products and local energy start-up Qudra
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Article written by Laurent Meillaud and translated by Logan King
