Hyundai partners KATECH, APQ and SAPTCO to foster hydrogen mobility ecosystem in Saudi Arabia

Following the announcement of it signing a joint venture agreement with the Public Investment Fund (PIF) for setting up a highly automated vehicle manufacturing plant in Saudi Arabia, Hyundai Motor Company has also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Korea Automotive Technology Institute (KATECH), Air Products Qudra (APQ) and the Saudi Public Transport Company (SAPTCO) to establish and develop an ecosystem for hydrogen-based mobility in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 

The parties have agreed to cooperate in establishing a hydrogen-based mobility ecosystem in Saudi Arabia and to provide support on technological services and human resources. Specific areas of collaboration include promoting demonstration projects for hydrogen fuel cell commercial vehicles and exploring opportunities for joint research in the field of hydrogen-based mobility.  

Hyundai Motor is expected to provide hydrogen fuel cell commercial vehicles to SAPTCO as part of the partnership, with the pioneering technologies in the hydrogen fuel cell industry with field-proven products and services deployed worldwide. 

“This partnership with the country’s major stakeholders represents a significant milestone in our efforts to establish a sustainable hydrogen value chain in Saudi Arabia,” said Jaehoon Chang, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company. “We also plan to continuously expand the hydrogen-based mobility industry in line with Saudi Arabia’s ambition to reach net zero emissions.”

Meanwhile, KATECH is expected to explore further opportunities for collaboration in R&D and APQ will secure a hydrogen supply in Saudi Arabia for the partnership. SAPTCO is expected to closely cooperate with the stakeholders to formulate a long-term plan aimed at further expanding the ecosystem for hydrogen-based mobility in the country.

“This cooperation opens doors for our hydrogen bus technology to enter the Middle East market,” said Seung-sik Na, President of KATECH. “We will work towards developing hydrogen buses suitable for high-temperature climates with the automotive industry so that the domestic automotive industry to expand its presence globally.”

In 2016, Saudi Arabia announced the 'Saudi Vision 2030' strategy to transition from relying on oil exports and promoting economic diversification through strategic investments in key sectors. As part of this strategy, the country announced the 'Saudi Green Initiative' in 2021, demonstrating its commitment to exploring cutting-edge technologies and innovations to achieve the net zero carbon emission goal by 2060.

Hyundai Motor Group (the Group) has been collaborating with Saudi Arabia in driving the energy transition. Their initiatives began with exporting two Elec City fuel cell buses to Saudi Arabia in 2020. The Group expanded its reach in the country by exporting the Xcient Fuel Cell heavy duty truck in 2021.

In March last year, the Group also signed a joint research agreement with the Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Aramco) and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) to minimize greenhouse gas emissions by developing an advanced fuel. These endeavors underpin the Group’s ongoing dedication to pioneering the adoption of clean and efficient energy technologies worldwide.