Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest oil-exporting company, has entered into a partnership with France-based engineering company Gaussin for the hydrogen-powered vehicle business.
The partnership between Aramco and Gaussin intends to build a modern production plant in Saudi Arabia for hydrogen-powered vehicles. Gaussin and Aramco will initially investigate the viability of establishing a production facility and a hydrogen distribution business in the Middle East region.
According to the statement, “The two companies also agreed that Aramco’s new 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 goal of LAB7 is to incorporate Aramco’s composite materials into Gaussin’s existing product line in order to minimize vehicle weight, energy consumption, and cost.
Christophe Gaussin CEO – Gaussin
“The Middle East is a key region for Gaussin and Saudi Arabia is crucial to transfer our technologies and know-how there. It will host the next edition of the Dakar Rally and the country shares with Gaussin an ambitious determination to decarbonize mobility and to address global warming. This is why we are very proud to announce this collaboration with Aramco, one of the world’s leading integrated energy and chemicals companies. This collaboration is going to help Gaussin compete in the Dakar Rally with the world’s first hydrogen-powered race truck. It is a testimony to our shared commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions.”
“The agreement is the start of an exciting collaboration to advance and promote hydrogen as a low carbon transportation fuel. It also allows us to advance economic growth and sustainability in the Kingdom as part of the Namaat industrial investment program. Aramco is excited to be the exclusive sponsor of the Dakar Rally’s first hydrogen-fueled truck, which is a milestone for motorsports and global transportation,” commented Mr. Ahmad Al-Sa’adi, SVP of Technical Services at Aramco.
