Landsvirkjun takes delivery of i MiEV electric cars from Mitsubishi
Katrín Júlíusdóttir, Minister of Industry, said that the electric cars were a symbol of the authorities' intention to significantly increase the use of domestic fuel in transport in order to substantially reduce imports of fossil fuels.
Hördur Arnarson, Managing Director of Landsvirkjun, said that Landsvirkjun had the use of three hydrogen cars in collaboration with the company Icelandic New Energy (Íslensk NýOrka). Landsvirkjun will use this new electric car at its power stations on the R. Sog and in the R. Thjórsá region. It will be interesting to see how the car performs on the longer journeys between power stations. Mr Arnarson also praised Iceland New Energy for their work on testing and research into new energy sources.
Both Landsvirkjun and Orkuveita Reykjavíkur have established goals for an eco-friendly transport policy to increase the proportion of eco-friendly cars in use within the companies.
Icelandic New Energy, which has until now generally been involved in research into the use of hydrogen cars in Iceland, will monitor the use of these new cars and use its research into hydrogen cars for comparison. The Energy Agency in Akureyri and the University of Akureyri will join New Energy in the project, and Landsvirkjun's Energy Research Fund, Hekla and NORA will provide funds for all research work in the project.
Bílaleiga Akureyrar, which has environmental certification, is also a participant. The car rental company's goal is to increase the number of eco-friendly cars in its fleet of rental vehicles.
Hjörleifur B. Kvaran, CEO of Orkuveita Reykjavíkur, Katrín Júlíusdóttir, Minister of Industry
and Hördur Arnarson, Managing Director of Landsvirkjun taking delivery of the electric cars.