This photo, provided by Hyundai Motor Group, shows a test run of its hydrogen-powered bus model Universe being carried out in Saudi Arabia as part of the Middle Eastern country’s Neom smart city project. (Yonhap)
Test run in Trojena highlights group’s technological edge in extreme conditions
SEOUL, Aug. 4 (Korea Bizwire) — Hyundai Motor Group said Monday it had successfully demonstrated hydrogen-powered commercial vehicle technology in Saudi Arabia’s Neom, reinforcing its position as a key partner in the kingdom’s ambitious smart city initiative.
The South Korean automaker shared video footage of the test, which took place in May in Trojena, a mountainous region of Neom located 2,080 meters above sea level. The footage, published on Hyundai’s official YouTube channel, shows the group’s hydrogen fuel cell electric bus navigating steep, winding roads between Neom’s central district and a remote base camp.
The field trial marks the latest development in Hyundai’s collaboration with the Saudi government, following a September agreement to support eco-friendly mobility within the Neom project—a flagship component of the kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy aimed at diversifying its oil-dependent economy.
To address the challenges posed by high-altitude terrain, Hyundai deployed proprietary mapping and monitoring technology designed to optimize fuel cell efficiency in real time. The company said the system played a critical role in enabling the hydrogen-powered Universe bus to operate reliably under extreme conditions.
“Hyundai Motor Group is the first company in the world to successfully operate hydrogen-powered vehicles in Neom,” a spokesperson for the group said. “We remain committed to supporting Neom’s zero-emission vision while positioning ourselves for future growth in the hydrogen ecosystem.”
The company has maintained a dedicated hydrogen R&D division since 1998 and has been a vocal proponent of hydrogen as a next-generation energy source, even as battery-electric vehicles have dominated the global electrification push.
Neom, backed by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, is envisioned as a $500 billion city of the future powered by renewable energy and cutting-edge infrastructure. Hyundai’s role in the initiative underscores Seoul’s deepening technological ties with Riyadh, particularly in the fields of mobility, energy, and urban innovation.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
