A major hydrogen mobility breakthrough has been achieved in the Saudi Arabian mountains, as a successful trial in NEOM’s Trojena region demonstrated the viability of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) in high-altitude terrain.
The test involved the UNIVERSE Fuel Cell bus navigating elevations of up to 2,080 metres and gradients of 24%, a first for hydrogen-powered vehicles in such conditions.
Conducted in partnership with Enowa, NEOM’s energy and water subsidiary, the trial showcased the performance of the hydrogen-powered coach bus over a simulated route connecting NEOM’s future core business district to the Trojena mountain destination.
The operation validated both the technical capabilities of hydrogen fuel cell technology and its practical application in mountainous environments.
The achievement builds on a memorandum of understanding signed in September 2024 between NEOM’s Mobility sector and the automotive group behind the UNIVERSE bus.
The agreement aims to accelerate the introduction of next-generation, zero-emission mobility solutions across NEOM’s futuristic urban and regional developments.
Key features
A key enabler of the trial was Enowa’s installation of the region’s first hydrogen refuelling station, which supports a broad range of hydrogen vehicles.
This infrastructure allowed for the safe and effective use of the UNIVERSE bus during VIP transport services in NEOM between October and December 2024.
A video released alongside the announcement captures the bus navigating Trojena’s rugged landscape, with commentary from project partners highlighting the challenges and successes of testing hydrogen mobility in real-world, high-altitude settings. The footage reinforces the collective ambition to position NEOM as a global testbed for sustainable innovation.
The trial represents more than a technological milestone, as it is a tangible step towards realising the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030.
By pushing the boundaries of clean energy use in transport, the project contributes to the Kingdom’s broader goals of economic diversification, environmental stewardship, and leadership in emerging green technologies.
The automotive group behind the trial brings decades of hydrogen expertise, dating back to technology development efforts in the late 1990s.
Through its hydrogen-focused brand and platform, HTWO, the company is advancing hydrogen mobility globally by integrating production, storage, and application solutions.
HTWO also serves as a platform for partnerships and investment, strengthening efforts to scale the hydrogen economy.
Also read: AVEVA and Protium aim to accelerate green hydrogen innovation
Hydrogen mobility reaches new heights in NEOM's Trojena trial
The operation validated the technical capabilities of hydrogen fuel cell technology
