Red Sea Global inks agreement for eco-friendly, zero-emission electric buses to boost transportation system

In conjunction with the Chinese firm Yutong and the European provider of electric vehicles, EURABUS, Electromin will aid in the provision of an electric bus fleet.

The company's first smart sustainable integrated transport network is a fleet of zero-emission electric buses utilised for employee transportation throughout the site.

Executive Director of Mobility Operations at RSG Andreas T. Flourou remarked, "This transaction is the first step on the road to a fully integrated mobility network encompassing land, sea, and air, which will enable secure movement of visitors, people, and cargo."

The fleet will include a smaller vehicle with a range of around 250km and a larger bus with a range of over 350km when fully charged, both of which will be used to service regular routes for employees.

Together, RSG's goal of emission-free transportation and 100% solar power for the entire destination will save around 500,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.

John Pagano, group CEO of RSG, had this to say about the partnership: "Our objective has always been to set the bar for regenerative tourism. To this end, it is essential to conduct carbon-free operations throughout the Red Sea.

Aligning with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 ambitions to reduce carbon emissions and drive sustainability to mitigate the impact of climate change, RSG's steps toward sustainable transportation across its development are encouraging.

RSG also announced that a new resort, Faena The Red Sea, would open in its destination in 2024.

Further, RSG's remit has grown to include supervision of more than a dozen projects along the Saudi Arabian coast of the Red Sea, with future possibilities for expansion beyond the borders of the Kingdom.

Ceer, the first Saudi electric vehicle brand, was introduced earlier this month by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. By 2034, Ceer will have added $8 billion to Saudi Arabia's GDP.

Ceer will attract approximately $150 million in FDI and create up to 30,000 direct and indirect jobs, all of which contribute to the Saudi Public Investment Fund's aim to diversify Saudi Arabia's GDP development by investing in promising growth industries.

PIF Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan announced this week at the Saudi Green Initiative, held in conjunction with the UN Climate Change Conference, that the Kingdom intends to invest in the electronic vehicles industry to the tune of $32 billion over the next decade, with the goal of producing 328,000 EVs annually.

He also said that PIF is responsible for developing 70% of the renewable energy that the Kingdom needs to meet its goal of generating 50% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030.

Cadillac, a division of the American automaker General Motors Corp., plans to release its first electric vehicle (EV) in the Kingdom during the first half of 2023, according to Kristian Aquilina, MD of Cadillac Middle East and international operations. This is an expansion of EV plans in Saudi Arabia. 

Aquilina claimed in September 2017 that talks with government officials were gaining traction because of their goal of electrifying 30% of Riyadh's transportation by 2030.