Hyundai Motor Group confirmed the potential for building a hydrogen mobility ecosystem in 'Neom,' a future smart city in Saudi Arabia.
Hyundai Motor Group released videos of hydrogen mobility driving demonstrations conducted in the Trojena area of Neom on the 4th.
Previously, Hyundai Motor Group successfully conducted driving demonstrations of the Universe Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) from May 17 to 27, connecting the central business district of Neom to the Trojena base camp, which is situated at an altitude of 2,080 meters.
Trojena, one of the main projects of Neom, is composed of rugged mountainous and desert terrain, with altitudes exceeding 2,000 meters and a continuous series of steep slopes and curves. This presents particularly harsh driving conditions for the Universe FCEV, which has a higher center of gravity and longer braking distance compared to regular passenger vehicles.
Moreover, at high altitudes, the amount of oxygen in the air needed for hydrogen fuel cells to generate power is low, so the Universe FCEV used in the driving demonstrations was equipped with 'altitude compensation mapping' technology to monitor the surrounding environment in real-time to improve the operational efficiency of the fuel cells.
The success of the Universe FCEV in navigating such harsh conditions is attributed to the hydrogen mobility technology and know-how of Hyundai Motor Group.
Hyundai Motor Group established an organization dedicated to hydrogen research and development in 1998 and began developing hydrogen-powered vehicles. It now provides an integrated solution encompassing hydrogen production, storage, and utilization by leveraging the collective capabilities of the group.
Hyundai Motor Group signed a memorandum of understanding with the Neom authorities in September of last year for the introduction of eco-friendly future mobility, and plans to continue collaborating as a core partner in the future mobility section of Neom to expand the introduction of eco-friendly mobility solutions and contribute to Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 objectives.
An official from Hyundai Motor Group noted, 'Hyundai Motor Group is the world's first corporation to successfully operate hydrogen mobility in Neom,' and added, 'We will secure future growth engines by building a hydrogen ecosystem and sharing Neom's vision of a zero-emissions future.'
[OSEN]