Aramco, Gaussin to explore manufacturing hydrogen vehicles in Saudi Arabia

Saudi’s oil giant, Aramco signed an agreement to explore a hydrogen powered vehicle business with French clean transportation company Gaussin, as they aim to establish a modern manufacturing facility for on-road and off-road hydrogen powered vehicles in the Kingdom.

The companies said that they will begin by studying the feasibility of a manufacturing facility and a hydrogen distribution business to serve the Middle East region.

“It represents an opportunity to promote hydrogen as a low-carbon solution, not just for motorsport, but eventually for mass transportation as well. Such collaboration helps us to advance economic growth in the Kingdom as part of the Namaat industrial investment program and takes us a step closer to our shared vision of a more sustainable future,” said Amin H. Nasser, Aramco President and CEO in a statement.

The companies said that Aramco’s Advanced Innovation Center (LAB7) will be closely involved in Gaussin’s development of hydrogen-powered vehicles and the development of a remote controlled/autonomous hydrogen racing truck. 

The LAB7 integrates Aramco’s composite materials into Gaussin’s existing range of products to reduce the weight, energy consumption and cost of these vehicles.

Aramco said they will also sponsor the world’s first hydrogen-fueled racing truck, which has been developed by Gaussin. It  will compete in the 2022 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia.