Aramco ties up with French companies; explores hydrogen-powered vehicle
State-owned Saudi Aramco has signed five agreements with leading French companies, including an agreement to explore a hydrogen-powered vehicle business with Gaussin, a pioneer in clean and intelligent transport solutions.
The agreement between Aramco and Gaussin aims to establish amodern manufacturing facility for on-road and off-road hydrogen powered vehicles in Saudi Arabia. As a first step, Gaussin and Aramco will study the feasibility of a manufacturing facility and a hydrogen distribution business to serve the Middle East region. The two companies also agreed 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. LAB7 aims to integrate Aramco’s composite materials into Gaussin’s existing range of products to reduce the weight, energy consumption and cost of these vehicles.
Aramco will also be sponsoring the world’s first hydrogen-fuelled racing truck, which has been developed by Gaussin and which will compete in the 2022 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia.
Other agreements announced with Air Liquide, Alteria and Axens seek to further Aramco’s research and development in the areas of carbon capture technology, artificial intelligence and local manufacturing.
The signing of the agreements took place during an event in Jeddah, organised by the Ministry of Investment to explore investment opportunities for French companies in Saudi Arabia.
Amin H. Nasser, Aramco president and CEO, said, “This partnership is a continuation of Aramco’s long-standing relationship with a number of leading French companies. 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.”
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