Riyadh: Hyundai Motor Group said Monday it has successfully demonstrated its hydrogen mobility capabilities for Saudi Arabia's Neom smart city project, highlighting its role as a key partner in building a hydrogen mobility ecosystem for the initiative.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the group revealed footage on YouTube of its hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) demonstration conducted in May in Neom's Trojena region, a mountainous area located 2,080 meters above sea level. Neom is a large-scale smart city project backed by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, designed to integrate advanced construction, information, and energy technologies.

Hyundai signed an agreement in September to collaborate on eco-friendly mobility solutions for Neom, which is part of the Saudi government's Vision 2030 initiative. The test involved Hyundai's hydrogen-powered Universe bus traveling over a challenging route between Neom's central district and a base camp in Trojena. The area features steep and continuous winding roads, posing difficult conditions for large commercial vehicles.

Hyundai Motor Group said the high-altitude environment was overcome by incorporating a proprietary map technology that optimizes fuel cell efficiency through real-time monitoring of environmental conditions. The group said the successful test highlights Hyundai's long-standing commitment to hydrogen innovation. The group has operated a dedicated hydrogen research and development (R and D) division since 1998.

"Hyundai Motor Group is the first company in the world to successfully operate hydrogen-powered vehicles in Neom," a group official said. "We will continue to support Neom's zero-emission vision and secure future growth opportunities by contributing to the hydrogen ecosystem development."