We’re two weeks, into the New Year, and the executives at Hyundai Motor Company have already announced plans to make automotive production and operation a more sustainable process. The South Korean automaker held its New Year address at Kia AutoLand Gwangmyeong, the first dedicated EV factory in Korea, and the senior officials highlighted the Group’s key areas of focus. Topping that list is to become “a top three global EV manufacturer by 2030”, courtesy of three EV plants – Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA), Kia’s AutoLand Hwaseong EV Plant, and the Hyundai Motor Ulsan EV Plant, slated to get activated shortly. The Hyundai Group holds the tag of being the world’s first organization to commercialize hydrogen fuel cell EVs. Now, it aims to increase that head start in sustainable technology by “developing a hydrogen business ecosystem, encompassing the entire lifecycle, from hydrogen production to transportation, storage, and utilization through connecting the hydrogen business capabilities of each Hyundai affiliate.” The sustainable approach extends to the production facility also, as the group vows to implement solar power generation systems at both domestic and overseas production sites, to become carbon-neutral by 2045.

Two brands, e& and Al-Futtaim Electric Mobility Company, part of the Al-Futtaim Group, have partnered to boost UAE’s aim for net-zero emissions by 2050. The agreement is to deploy a fleet of 100 BYD Atto 3 vehicles in the country. Those will help reduce net carbon emissions by replacing the company’s fleet of light vehicles. The Atto 3, with multiple electric motors, boasts a WLTP-certified range of 420km on a single charge. That means it has enough juice to serve the operational needs of e&.

This partnership with e& will also propel Al-Futtaim Group towards its ‘Green’ targets. It has pledged that by the end of the decade (2030), at least 50 per cent of its total vehicle sales in the UAE will come from new energy vehicles. That comprises hybrid and pure electric models. Also, the Group is en route to installing 10 per cent of the UAE’s electric vehicle charging stations within the same timeline.

Also Read: Al Futtaim Group Announces Partnership With BYD At Future Mobility Day

BMW is not ready to put all its eggs in the EV basket as it continues its development on hydrogen propulsion on the side. The latest developmental activity saw BMW extending a fleet of its iX5 Hydrogen SUVs towards the delegates of the Green Hydrogen Summit Oman where the group drove the hydrogen-propelled car from Dubai to Sohar. The convoy was led by Dr Jurgen Guldner, General Manager of Hydrogen at BMW Group and the journey culminated at Sohar Port, with an informative workshop focusing on the role of hydrogen fuel cell technology in future mobility. The seminar emphasised the role of hydrogen fuel technology in sustainable mobility and its potential for large-scale reductions emissions alongside battery electric vehicles. Additionally, BMW Middle East has been collaborating with key stakeholders to foster sustainable hydrogen infrastructure development across the Middle Eastern region comprising Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan and the UAE. 

After announcing its fourth EV – the Optiq – last month, Cadillac is back with another confirmation. What you see here is the brand’s fifth EV, christened Vistiq. It will join Cadillac’s range of zero-emission vehicles in 2026, slotting between the Lyriq and the Escalade IQ. Like the latter, the Cadillac Vistiq is a three-row SUV. However, it won’t be described in its home country as a “full-size” SUV.

The Vistiq becomes the third pure-electric vehicle to be confirmed by Cadillac in 2023. Like most of its stablemates, Vistiq’s details, including features, availability and pricing, will be unearthed in 2024.