Saudi Aramco and Hyundai unite to develop advanced fuel for hybrid electric vehicles

RIYADH: Saudi Aramco and Hyundai Motor Group, in association with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, are developing an advanced fuel for hybrid electric vehicles. 

The partnership, which is expected to last for two years, aims to develop an optimal fuel formulation for use with a novel combustion system in an electrified hybrid vehicle. 

With this initiative, the companies aim to lower the overall CO2 emissions of a vehicle, by deploying Hyundai Motor Group’s ultra-lean burn combustion design in a modern hybrid vehicle.

The tests will be conducted by researchers in the Clean Combustion Research Center at KAUST. 

“The Aramco team provides fuel design and blending know-how to improve Hyundai Motor Group engine combustion performance and the outcome could lead to the application of synthetic e-fuels,” said Ahmad O. Al-Khowaiter, Aramco’s chief technology officer. 

Professor Donal Bradley, vice president for research of KAUST said, “Building more efficient and less polluting transport systems is a critical contribution to the circular carbon economy approach to tackling climate change.”