Hyundai Motor Group has formalised a cooperation pact with Oman’s transport and technology ministry, opening the door to joint work on sustainable urban projects, hydrogen-powered public transport and electric-vehicle charging infrastructure in the Gulf state.

The agreement, signed today (4 September) during the Gulf Green Mobility Forum, ties Hyundai to Oman’s Vision 2040 agenda.

Hyundai Motor Group executive vice president, head of future strategy division Hokeun Chung said: “We are delighted to establish strategic partnerships with MTCIT today. HMG is committed to helping turn Oman's Vision 2040 ambitions into tangible outcomes through collaboration in smart cities and future mobility.”

Under the plan, government is advancing major urban development programmes including Sultan Haitham City.

The arrangement starts with a one-year term and will roll over automatically unless changed by the parties.

The ministry-level memorandum creates a basis for collaboration on future city planning and lower-emission transport solutions.

Areas covered include electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell mobility, as Oman pushes to cut transport emissions and build smarter urban systems.

Alongside that pact, state-owned bus operator Mwasalat agreed to introduce Hyundai’s ELEC CITY Fuel Cell bus on Muscat routes, marking the first hydrogen-powered city bus service in Oman.

The 24-seat vehicle is scheduled to run from the third quarter of 2026 to the third quarter of 2027.

The bus trial is being set up as part of regular passenger operations rather than a closed demonstration.

Mwasalat will review how the vehicle performs on uptime, route efficiency and emissions-related benefits compared with conventional diesel fleets.

Hyundai also signed separate charging-related agreements with OOMCO, the retail fuel and distribution arm of OQ, and EVO, OOMCO’s EV charging business.

The companies plan to install a 240kW direct-current fast charger made by Hyundai Kefico at an Oman Oil filling station in Halban, outside Muscat.

That site will be tested between the third and fourth quarters of 2026, including during periods of extreme heat, to determine technical performance, usage levels and business potential.

The partners said results from the bus and charging initiatives will be measured against agreed targets to determine whether the programmes should be scaled up into wider deployment and procurement in Oman.