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Hyundai Motor Group Pioneers Hydrogen Mobility in NEOM to Drive Sustainable Transport

Releases • August 4, 2025

• Hyundai Motor Group completed a groundbreaking hydrogen mobility trial in NEOM, the smart, sustainable region on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast.
• The Group’s September 2024 MoU with NEOM supports future-mobility initiatives aligned with Saudi Vision 2030.
• Successful UNIVERSE Fuel Cell bus operation at up to 2,080 m elevation and 24% gradients highlights hydrogen’s viability in complex topography.
• The trial strengthens collaboration with NEOM and Enowa (NEOM’s energy and water subsidiary) to build reliable hydrogen infrastructure for decarbonized mobility.

SEOUL, August 4, 2025 – Hyundai Motor Group (the Group), in partnership with Enowa, NEOM’s energy and water subsidiary, announced the successful completion of a pioneering hydrogen-mobility trial in Trojena, the mountain region of NEOM. This marks the first deployment of hydrogen-powered vehicles in high-altitude mountain topography, reinforcing the Group’s leadership in hydrogen mobility. Watch the video here.

The Group operated its hydrogen fuel cell electric coach bus, UNIVERSE, on a mountainous route in Trojena, reaching elevations of up to 2,080 meters and gradients of 24 percent. Simulating passenger transport from NEOM’s future core business district to Trojena, the demonstration validated both vehicle performance and the practicality of hydrogen in high-altitude conditions.

The achievement builds on a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with NEOM’s Mobility sector in September 2024 to explore next-generation zero-emission mobility solutions for the region.

With Enowa having recently installed NEOM’s first hydrogen refueling station, capable of supporting multiple hydrogen-powered vehicles, the Group operated a UNIVERSE Fuel Cell bus for VIP transport in NEOM from October to December last year.

This successful trial marks an important step in advancing Saudi Arabia’s vision to drive economic transformation and foster future industries. Hyundai Motor Group and NEOM can build on this milestone by broadening collaboration in sustainable solutions, underscoring a shared commitment to a decarbonized future.

In collaboration with NEOM and Enowa, the Group released a video documenting the journey—capturing the UNIVERSE Fuel Cell bus on Trojena’s mountain terrain alongside partner interviews—highlighting Hyundai Motor Group’s commitment to real-world hydrogen deployments across varied conditions.

Hyundai Motor Group’s hydrogen footprint in Saudi Arabia draws on development work dating back to the late 1990s. This latest trial underscores the Group’s dedication to realizing hydrogen mobility in line with Saudi Vision 2030 and global climate goals.

Globally, the Group is advancing the energy transition through its dedicated hydrogen brand and business platform, HTWO. By leveraging end-to-end expertise—from production and storage to transportation and utilization—HTWO is expanding as an open platform for collaboration, investment and partnership, helping build a viable hydrogen economy.

August 4, 2025