[Edaily Reporter Kim Hyung-wook ] HYUNDAI ROTEM is pursuing a project to supply hydrogen-electric trams to Egypt’s new administrative capital. If successful, this could mark the first overseas export of a South Korean hydrogen-electric tram.
HYUNDAI ROTEM announced on the 8th that it had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Authority for Tunnels (NAT) of Egypt on the 7th at the “Korea-Egypt Business Roundtable” held in Seoul to cooperate on the construction of a hydrogen-electric tram system for the New Administrative Capital.
Based on this agreement, both parties have decided to finalize plans for introducing hydrogen-powered trams to the New Administrative Capital. Egypt is currently considering a plan to deploy 44 tram sets on a route of approximately 28 km. If the project proceeds, HYUNDAI ROTEM plans to provide a comprehensive solution necessary for commercial operation, including vehicle supply, system construction, operation, and maintenance.
Egypt’s new administrative capital is a large-scale smart city currently under construction approximately 35 km east of Cairo. Upon completion, the city will be able to accommodate more than 6 million people, and the introduction of hydrogen-powered trams is being considered as one of its public transportation options.
Hydrogen-powered trams are vehicles that generate electricity using hydrogen fuel cells installed on board. They offer the advantage of producing no direct carbon emissions during operation and do not require overhead power lines, thereby helping to preserve the urban landscape.
After conducting over 5,000 km of demonstration runs in Ulsan from 2023 to 2024, HYUNDAI ROTEM has signed supply contracts for Daejeon Metro Line 2 (34 trainsets) and Ulsan Metro Line 1 (9 trainsets) and is currently preparing for their launch.
HYUNDAI ROTEM plans to use this agreement as a springboard for the overseas expansion of its hydrogen-electric trams. Along with vehicle exports, demand for the construction of hydrogen production and refueling infrastructure is expected to arise, and opportunities for domestic partner companies involved in vehicle manufacturing to enter overseas markets alongside HYUNDAI ROTEM may also open up.
The company will also collaborate with “HTWO,” the HyundaiMotor Group’s hydrogen brand and business platform. Based on the Group’s integrated solutions—which encompass everything from hydrogen production to supply and utilization—Hyundai Rotem aims to identify additional business opportunities in overseas rail markets.
The signing ceremony was attended by Kamel Al-Wazir, Egypt’s Minister of Transport; Kim Jeong-gwan, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy; Kim Wan-joong, Ambassador to Egypt; and Lee Yong-bae, President and CEO of HYUNDAI ROTEM.
A HYUNDAI ROTEM official stated, “Egypt’s New Administrative Capital is a flagship future city project that can introduce new forms of rail mobility, such as hydrogen-powered trams,” adding, “We will establish a business model for hydrogen-powered trams optimized for local operations and work closely with the Tunnel Authority until the project is finalized.”
