No cars, no roads: Saudi Crown Prince announces zero-carbon city

The 170-kilometer-long development called The Line will be a walkable belt of hyper-connected future communities, without cars and roads, and built ar
...
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman announces a zero-carbon city called The Line to be built at NEOM in northwestern Saudi Arabia. (VIA REUTERS)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman announces a zero-carbon city called The Line to be built at NEOM in northwestern Saudi Arabia.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman unveiled his latest vision for Saudi Arabia’s future beyond oil: a city with no cars, roads or carbon emissions.

The 170 kilometer-long (106 mile-long) development called “The Line" will be part of the $500 billion project called “Neom," the crown prince said in a televised speech on Sunday. Construction is planned to start in the first quarter.

Also check these Cars

Find more Cars
Renault City K-ze (HT Auto photo)
UPCOMING
BatteryCapacity Icon26.8kWh Range Icon271 Km
₹ 6 - 10 Lakhs
Alert Me When Launched
Honda City Hybrid (HT Auto photo)
Engine Icon1498.0 cc FuelType IconMultiple
₹ 18.89 Lakhs
Compare
View Offers
Honda City (HT Auto photo)
Engine Icon1498.0 cc FuelType IconPetrol
₹ 11.71 Lakhs
Compare
View Offers
Vayve Mobility Eva (HT Auto photo)
UPCOMING
BatteryCapacity Icon14 Kwh Range Icon250 km
₹ 7 Lakhs
Alert Me When Launched
Hyundai Creta (HT Auto photo)
Engine Icon1497 cc FuelType IconMultiple
₹ 11 Lakhs
Compare
View Offers
Mahindra Thar (HT Auto photo)
Engine Icon2184 cc FuelType IconMultiple
₹ 11.25 Lakhs
Compare
View Offers

A news release described The Line as a walkable “belt of hyper-connected future communities, without cars and roads and built around nature." It said the city would have 1 million residents and create 380,000 jobs by 2030. The infrastructure will cost $100 billion to $200 billion, the crown prince said.

Neom is the crown jewel of Prince Mohammed’s plan to diversify the economy of the world’s largest crude exporter. Announced in 2017, the project spans more than 10,000 square miles in a remote area of the country’s northwest. It’s described on its website as “a bold and audacious dream" that will become a hub for new technologies and businesses.

(Also watch | Wrecked vehicles recovered after car parking tower collapses in Saudi)

The project has been plagued by skepticism and political controversy since its launch. Analysts question if it’s realistic and can attract the investment needed.

“The backbone of investment in The Line will come from the $500 billion support to Neom by the Saudi government, PIF and local and global investors over 10 years," the prince told reporters in Al-Ula, referring to Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.

The announcement on Sunday shows the extent to which Prince Mohammed is thinking about life after oil for the kingdom, which earned over half of government revenue from crude in 2020. The project was the first major development to be announced within Neom.

“Why do we accept sacrificing nature for development?" the prince said, citing rising sea levels and carbon emissions in a manner rare for a Saudi official. The city, he said, would be a “revolution for mankind" with “zero cars, zero streets, zero emissions."

No journey within The Line will be longer than 20 minutes, he said. The city would be built around “ultra-high-speed transit and autonomous mobility solutions," according to the statement.

Get insights into Upcoming Cars In India, Electric Vehicles, Upcoming Bikes in India and cutting-edge technology transforming the automotive landscape.

First Published Date: 11 Jan 2021, 09:33 AM IST
NEXT ARTICLE BEGINS

Check Latest Offers

Please provide your details to get Personalized Offers

Choose city
+91 | Choose city
Choose city
Select a dealer

Want to get the best price for your existing car?

Powered by: Spinny Logo
By clicking "View Offers" you Agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy
Dear Name

Please verify your mobile number.

+91 | Choose city
Couldn't verify the OTP.
It's either expired or it's incorrect.