Oman and Hyundai Sign Strategic Green Mobility MoU
The Sultanate of Oman is set to launch its first hydrogen-powered city bus on public transit routes in Muscat following a strategic partnership with South Korean automotive conglomerate Hyundai Motor Group. Signed during the Gulf Green Mobility Forum in Salalah, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Oman’s Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MoTCIT) and Hyundai establishes a foundation for low-carbon mobility and smart city infrastructure. Valid for an initial one-year term with automatic renewal provisions, the framework accelerates national efforts toward sustainable urban transit.
Mwasalat to Pilot 24-Seat ELEC CITY Hydrogen Bus
Under the terms of the agreement, national transport operator Mwasalat will deploy Hyundai’s 24-seat ELEC CITY Fuel Cell bus across designated public transit routes in the capital. Scheduled to run from the third quarter of 2026 through the third quarter of 2027, the year-long trial is structured as an active passenger transit service rather than a closed technology demonstration. Transit engineers will evaluate vehicle uptime, route efficiency, operational reliability, and carbon emission reductions against conventional diesel fleets under real-world driving conditions.
Ultra-Fast EV Charger Deployment with OOMCO and EVO
Expanding beyond hydrogen transit, Hyundai Motor Group signed complementary agreements with Oman Oil Marketing Company (OOMCO) and its EV charging brand EVO. The collaboration will see Hyundai Kefico install a 240-kilowatt direct-current (DC) ultra-fast EV charger at an Oman Oil service station in Halban, near Muscat. The charging infrastructure will undergo testing through late 2026 to evaluate technical performance, customer usage patterns, and operational durability under Oman’s extreme high-temperature summer conditions.
Supporting Smart City Urban Frameworks and Sultan Haitham City
The bilateral partnership positions Hyundai as a prospective technology partner for Oman’s flagship smart city developments, including Sultan Haitham City. Integrating electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel-cell fleets, and automated charging infrastructure provides a scalable template for modern urban planning across the Sultanate. Data gathered from both the bus service and charging trials will establish performance metrics to determine future commercial procurement and broader network expansion.
Advancing Carbon Neutrality and Oman Vision 2040 Objectives
Ultimately, introducing hydrogen mobility and high-capacity charging technology directly reinforces the environmental and economic goals of Oman Vision 2040. Decarbonizing public transportation reduces reliance on fossil fuels while establishing local technical infrastructure for clean mobility ecosystems. As trial operations commence in Muscat, Oman reinforces its commitment to sustainable urban growth, green energy adoption, and zero-emission public transport networks.
