Saudi Arabia driving the future of green mobility through NEOM

 

Saudi Arabia becomes front runner in green mobility  

As the world increasingly confronts the impacts of climate change, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself not only as a participant in the global green transition—but as a leader. At the heart of this ambition lies NEOM, a bold initiative backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), designed to reimagine urban life through advanced technology, sustainability, and innovation.

In this guest article, Michel Ladrak, Head of Mobility at NEOM, shares how the project is setting a new standard for green mobility—starting from the ground up.

 

Why green mobility matters more than ever

The intensifying climate crisis underscores the urgency of change. In California, wildfires have grown increasingly frequent and severe, with eight of the state's 20 largest fires occurring in just the past three years. These shifts are not isolated—they are part of a global pattern linked to climate change, to which transportation is a major contributor.

The transport sector accounts for roughly 25% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with 95% of transport energy still derived from fossil fuels. While the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is growing, momentum has recently slowed due to concerns about resale values, policy uncertainty, and limited charging infrastructure.

 

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Learning from global leaders

Norway stands out as a global frontrunner in EV adoption, with electric vehicles representing 90% of new passenger car sales in 2024. Its success is rooted in strong government incentives, robust charging infrastructure, and everyday perks like free parking and access to bus lanes. Remarkably, Norway has achieved this despite being a major oil and gas producer.

Saudi Arabia, long associated with powering the combustion engine era, is now embracing a parallel path—leveraging its vast solar energy potential to become a leader in clean transportation. Like Norway’s hydro-based energy strategy, the Kingdom’s solar resources offer a renewable foundation for a national mobility shift.

 

Vision 2030: Powering a sustainable transport ecosystem

Under Saudi Vision 2030, the Kingdom is building a comprehensive EV ecosystem through favorable policies and major infrastructure investment. A key milestone has been the creation of Ceer, Saudi Arabia’s first electric vehicle brand. In early 2025, Ceer secured $1.4 billion in contracts to support the launch of its first EV model, expected in 2026.

This initiative follows the opening of Lucid Group’s manufacturing facility in Jeddah—the Kingdom’s first automotive plant and Lucid’s first international factory. This site will supply EVs for both domestic use and export, signaling Saudi Arabia’s serious commitment to electrification.

 

NEOM: A new blueprint for mobility

NEOM’s Mobility sector is at the forefront of this transformation, designing a fully integrated, sustainable transport system across its diverse regions—THE LINE, Trojena, Magna, and Oxagon. Unlike most cities that retrofit existing infrastructure, NEOM is developing mobility infrastructure from scratch—optimized for electric, autonomous, and shared transport.

 

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Significant strides have already been made:

• Six EV charging hubs have been installed across NEOM
• 140 electric vehicles are currently in operation—forming the largest EV fleet in Saudi Arabia
• Progressive expansion of charging stations is underway to support regional connectivity

 

Beyond electrification: A multi-pronged approach

NEOM’s vision goes far beyond simply replacing combustion engines with electric motors. Its Mobility strategy emphasizes:

Shared mobility: App-based ride-sharing, on-demand shuttles, and autonomous taxis reduce congestion and environmental impact

Automation: Autonomous vehicles increase efficiency and reduce energy waste, offering a safer and more streamlined experience

Notably, NEOM has partnered with Pony.ai, a leader in autonomous technology, receiving the Kingdom’s first permit for AV testing. This marks a major step toward realizing a future of driverless, electric mobility.

 

Hydrogen: Fueling the next frontier

While EVs are ideal for light-duty transport, hydrogen is emerging as a vital solution for heavier vehicles and off-road applications. NEOM sees hydrogen fuel cells playing an increasingly important role—especially in construction and logistics—delivering both zero emissions and reduced noise pollution on job sites.

Hydrogen, alongside electrification, shared mobility, and automation, forms the cornerstone of NEOM’s clean energy transport strategy.

 

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A living lab for the world

As NEOM develops, it serves as a global testbed for next-generation mobility—pioneering solutions that can be replicated worldwide. Its integrated, clean-energy-powered transport ecosystem represents not just the future of Saudi Arabia’s cities—but a model for sustainable urban mobility everywhere.

The global transition away from fossil fuel transportation is not a question of if, but when. Through NEOM, Saudi Arabia is leading that transition—shaping a future where mobility is sustainable, connected, and climate-resilient.

Source: www.just-auto.com