Saudi Arabia’s NEOM holds successful trial of Hydrogen-powered bus

The Hyundai UNIVERSE Fuel Cell bus operated at elevations up to 2,080 meters/ Hyundai Motors

NEOM and Hyundai Motor Group had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in September 2024 to bring next-generation zero-emission mobility solutions to one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects undertaken anywhere in the world.

What is NEOM?

Announced by Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman in 2017, NEOM is located in the Tabuk Province of Saudi Arabia. NEOM was part of MBS’s Saudi Vision 2030, an ambitious plan to diversify the kingdom’s oil-dependent economy to a global tourism, tech, and trade hub.

First outdoor ski resort in Gulf

Once completed, NEOM will be home to several attractions, including Trojena, the first outdoor ski resort in the Gulf region, aiming to be a year-round adventure hub.

Sindalah, the luxury island

NEOM will also have a luxury island, Sindalah, covering a total area of 9 million sq ft, which is designed to be a superyacht destination in the Middle East.

Areal view of Sindalah Island. (Photo-NEOM)

The Line

However, the most talked about and controversial part of NEOM remains ‘The Line’, a linear smart city which is 170 km long, 500 meters tall, and only 200 meters wide.
The Line has been described as a car-free, carbon-neutral, smart city powered by renewable energy, housing 9 million people.

The Line will reach up to 1,600 feet in height and run parallel for 75 miles or 120 km. (Photo: Facebook/NEOM)

When will NEOM be completed

Though NEOM was part of MBS’s Saudi Vision 2030, the construction has been delayed multiple times, and many believe that the megaproject won’t be completed in 2030.
NEOM has also suffered cost overruns from the initial estimate of $500 billion to $8.8 trillion, making many question the viability of the entire project.