SAUDI ARABIA TESTS HYDROGEN-POWERED BUSES

SAUDI ARABIA TESTS HYDROGEN-POWERED BUSES

Hydrogen power for transportation is not new technology—but what is new is that Saudi Arabia is now applying it in a systematic, scientific, and state-backed way. In Al-Ahsa, the kingdom has started testing hydrogen-powered buses under its Vision 2030 clean energy program. Each bus can travel up to 635 kilometers on a single hydrogen refill, carrying 45 passengers while emitting nothing but water vapor.

If that isn’t the very definition of clean transport, I don’t know what is.

Saudi Arabia’s Transport General Authority (TGA) launched the pilot in partnership with SATCO, a private concessionaire, and it’s not stopping there. NEOM—the futuristic megacity being built in the desert—is testing similar buses at elevations as high as 2,000 meters using Hyundai’s UNIVERSE fuel-cell electric coaches. Clearly, the Saudis are not dabbling—they are investing in the transport systems of the future.

This is where I begin to ask: Why can’t we do the same?

Hydrogen power is no longer “rocket science.” The technology is out there, proven, and increasingly affordable. So what is holding us back from developing our own hydrogen-powered bus system? We don’t lack engineers or scientists. What we often lack, unfortunately, is political will.

If I were to design such a program for the Philippines, I would place the Department of Transportation (DOTr) in the lead—but I would not stop there. The Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) must also be involved. DOTr can focus on policy and deployment; DOE can oversee hydrogen fuel production and regulation; and DOST can lead in technology adaptation and research.

We can start small—through pilot barangays and eco-zones.

Hydrogen Buses for Barangays and Beyond

Saudi Arabia’s model offers practical lessons for our archipelagic country. Imagine if we could build hydrogen-powered mini-buses for inter-island or provincial routes—say, between Calapan and Roxas in Mindoro, or around Palawan’s eco-tourism circuits. These long-range vehicles could travel hundreds of kilometers on one charge, powered by hydrogen generated through solar electrolysis.

At the barangay level, small-scale hydrogen hubs could power tricycles and community shuttles. A solar-powered electrolysis unit can split water into hydrogen and oxygen, storing the hydrogen in tanks for refueling. Some Japanese and European firms are already manufacturing such compact systems. Why not pilot one in, say, Taguig’s urban barangays or in a model eco-village in Nueva Ecija?

For inter-island transport, the same principle applies. Hydrogen-powered ferries could serve remote island clusters like the Batanes group, or the smaller islands of the Calamianes and Tawi-Tawi. In short, hydrogen mobility isn’t just for big cities—it could be the key to inclusive mobility in rural and island communities.

The Economics of Hydrogen

Skeptics will say hydrogen is too expensive. True, green hydrogen—produced from renewable energy—still costs more than fossil fuels. But prices are falling fast. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the cost of renewable hydrogen could drop by as much as 60% by 2030, thanks to scaling and innovation. Saudi Arabia is betting big on this trend, investing billions in NEOM’s hydrogen hub, which is projected to produce 600 tons of green hydrogen per day by 2026.

Why can’t we follow that path on a smaller scale? The Philippines has abundant renewable resources—sun, wind, hydro—that could power electrolysis plants. If we can produce hydrogen locally, we can also enhance our energy sovereignty.

Hydrogen and the Circular Economy

Hydrogen can even fit into our circular design goals. Instead of wasting treated water, we can use reclaimed water from sewage plants for hydrogen production. Agricultural waste can feed small biomass systems that power electrolysis. This integration would not only produce clean fuel but also reduce waste, aligning with sustainability goals under our own “Ambisyon Natin 2040.”

What We Need: Vision and Will

So again, the real question is: where will the political will come from?

Saudi Arabia’s leadership is setting a strong example. They’re not just talking about “green transition”—they’re building it, testing it, and proving it. We, too, could begin by forming a National Hydrogen Mobility Task Force, combining the expertise of DOTr, DOE, DOST, and even local universities.

We have a saying: “Kung gusto, may paraan; kung ayaw, may dahilan.” (If there’s a will, there’s a way.) Hydrogen power gives us a clear way forward. All we need now is the will.

If Saudi Arabia—a desert kingdom with fewer natural water resources—can run buses on hydrogen, what’s stopping an island nation like ours, surrounded by water and blessed with sunlight, from doing the same?

Maybe what we need is not more science—but more courage to apply it.

Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres

iseneres@yahoo.com, senseneres.blogspot.com 03-10-2026

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