Hyundai Motor Group has confirmed the potential for building a hydrogen mobility ecosystem in NEOM, Saudi Arabia's futuristic smart city.
On August 4, Hyundai Motor Group released a video showcasing the hydrogen mobility driving demonstration conducted in the Trojena region of NEOM in May.
Previously, from May 17 to 27, Hyundai Motor Group successfully conducted a driving demonstration of the Universe hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) on the route connecting NEOM's central business district and the Trojena base camp, which is located at an altitude of 2,080 meters.
NEOM City in Saudi Arabia is envisioned as a sustainable city that provides a variety of services based on urban infrastructure built by integrating construction and information and communication technologies.
Trojena, one of NEOM's main projects, consists of rugged mountainous and desert terrain with altitudes exceeding 2,000 meters, and features continuous steep slopes and curves. These are especially challenging driving conditions for the Universe FCEV, which has a higher center of gravity and a longer braking distance compared to passenger cars.
Moreover, at high altitudes, the amount of oxygen in the air required for hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity is lower. Therefore, the Universe FCEV used in the driving demonstration was equipped with the "Altitude Compensation Map" technology, which improves fuel cell operating efficiency by monitoring the surrounding environment in real time.
The ability of the Universe FCEV to successfully operate in such harsh conditions was largely due to Hyundai Motor Group's advanced hydrogen mobility technology and expertise.
Hyundai Motor Group established a dedicated organization for hydrogen research and development in 1998 and began developing hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Currently, by consolidating the capabilities of its affiliates, the group provides integrated solutions covering hydrogen production, storage, and utilization.
In September last year, Hyundai Motor Group signed a memorandum of understanding with NEOM in Saudi Arabia for the introduction of eco-friendly future mobility. Going forward, Hyundai Motor Group plans to continue its collaboration as a core partner in NEOM's future mobility sector by expanding the introduction of eco-friendly mobility solutions in NEOM and contributing to the achievement of Saudi Arabia's "Vision 2030" goals.
A Hyundai Motor Group representative stated, "Hyundai Motor Group is the world's first company to successfully operate hydrogen mobility in NEOM," adding, "By building a hydrogen ecosystem, we will join NEOM in realizing its zero-emission vision and secure new growth engines for the future."
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