Riyadh - Sharikat Mubasher: Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) forged a strategic partnership with Abdul Latif Jameel Motors and Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) to promote hydrogen fuel cell research in the Kingdom.

This partnership aims to enhance the Kingdom’s decarbonization efforts across the transportation sector and beyond, in conjunction with the national goal of achieving net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2060, a recent statement unveiled.

As a centerpiece of the partnership, KAUST acquired proton electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell modules from TMC, establishing a cutting-edge laboratory facility at KAUST under its Clean Energy and Research Platform (CERP), which is dedicated to advancing this cutting-edge technology.

Mani Sarathy, Professor of Physical Science and Engineering Division at KAUST, said: "At KAUST, we are excited to collaborate with TMC and Abdul Latif Jameel Motors to drive the adoption of hydrogen fuel cell technology in Saudi Arabia, aligning with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and net-zero goals for 2060.”

He noted that the CERP focuses on advancing research that will optimize hydrogen fuel cells for the region's specific conditions, ensuring their efficiency and reliability.

Sarathy further affirmed that the partnership reflects KAUST’s commitment to pioneering innovations that support sustainable solutions.

Meanwhile, Mazin Ghazi Jameel, Managing Director of Toyota Marketing Operations at Abdul Latif Jameel Motors, commented: “This strategic partnership reaffirms our commitment to enabling a future of cleaner, efficient, and smarter mobility accessible to all, supporting the transformational needs of businesses and individuals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia." 

On his part, Nobuyuki Takemura, Chief Representative of the Toyota Liaison Office for Mobility and Energy for Saudi Arabia at TMC, emphasized the group’s dedication to contributing to the research at KAUST and to advancing the Kingdom’s economic diversification and circular carbon economy, in alignment with Vision 2030.

It is worth mentioning that Abdul Latif Jameel Motors is the authorized distributor of Toyota vehicles in Saudi Arabia since 1955.