DUBAI: The company behind Saudi Arabia’s $500 billion NEOM megacity project on Thursday revealed plans to develop an assembly plant to build up to 10,000 hydrogen fuel cell-powered commercial vehicles a year.
The initiative is part of an agreement between US-based Hyzon Motors, an expert in the supply of zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell-powered commercial vehicles, and Saudi conglomerate Modern Industrial Investment Holding Group.
The trio will work together over the next 18 months to finalize plans and specifications for the new facility.
As part of the linkup, the partners plan to set up a new joint venture company – Hyzon Motors Middle East (ME) – which will focus on completing the project and distributing the Hyzon-branded zero-emission commercial vehicles throughout Saudi Arabia and the wider region.
Roland Kaeppner, executive director for hydrogen and green fuels at NEOM Co., said: “Partnering with Hyzon and Modern Group will expedite NEOM’s self-sufficiency ambitions and is a great opportunity to showcase hydrogen-electric applications that are complementary to battery electric solutions, in particular for heavy duty and long-range logistics.
“We see hydrogen as the most viable solution to power the world of tomorrow and this is further demonstration of our commitment to creating the world’s first net zero carbon, sustainable city.”
Craig Knight, chief executive officer and co-founder of Hyzon Motors, said: “Hydrogen is a key fuel to power global heavy duty commercial transport, liberating it from dependence on fossil fuels.
“This project is showing the way for resource-rich GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries to achieve the energy transition, and Hyzon’s partnership with Modern will help to make this a reality.”
NEOM, located in the northwest of Saudi Arabia, is committed to becoming fully sustainable, powering itself through the use of 100 percent renewable energy and with net zero emissions by 2030.
Green hydrogen will play a major part in this ambition and the city’s backers already have plans to invest $5 billion to build the world’s largest hydrogen production plant.
NEOM reveals plans to build assembly plant for hydrogen-powered vehicles
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NEOM reveals plans to build assembly plant for hydrogen-powered vehicles
- The initiative is part of an agreement between Hyzon Motors and Saudi conglomerate Modern Industrial Investment Holding Group
Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property: Patent applications filed by individuals, national institutions surge in 2025
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia recorded a significant increase in the number of patent applications filed by individuals and national institutions during 2025, reflecting a growing awareness among innovators and national entities of the importance of protecting innovations and maximizing the value of intangible assets.
The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property explained that patent applications filed by individuals witnessed substantial growth, rising from 2,007 submissions in 2024 to 3,942 in 2025, representing a growth rate of 96 percent. This indicates a broadening base of innovators and entrepreneurs, and a rising awareness of the importance of registering intellectual property rights, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
The authority also indicated that the number of patent applications filed by national institutions increased from 408 in 2024 to 734 in 2025, representing an 80 percent growth. This reflects the increasing interest of national entities in protecting their innovations and transforming them into valuable economic assets.
The entity further noted that this growth contributed to raising the total number of patent applications filed in 2025 to 10,300, compared to 8,029 in 2024. It affirmed its continued efforts to develop the intellectual property system, streamline registration procedures, and support innovation, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
Saudi Arabia has made notable progress in the 2025 Global Intellectual Property Index, with its score rising by 17.5 percent, placing it among the fastest-improving economies out of the 55 countries evaluated.
According to the 13th edition of the index, published by the US Chamber of Commerce in April, the Kingdom now ranks 40th globally, a reflection of the substantial reforms driven by its Vision 2030 strategy. These reforms aim to enhance intellectual property protection, foster innovation, and support the growth of a knowledge-based economy.
Since 2019, Saudi Arabia’s overall score has increased from 36.6 percent to 53.7 percent in 2025, marking a cumulative improvement of over 40 percent in just six years. This progress stems from a comprehensive transformation of the nation’s IP ecosystem, including the strengthening of legal frameworks and enforcement mechanisms.
These developments highlight Saudi Arabia’s growing institutional capacity and ongoing regulatory modernization, led by the SAIP.
