Reykjavík mayor Jón Gnarr told reporters that his official vehicle is to be a hydrogen-powered car.
“I’d like to set an example,” he told reporters. “and try this out, and take part in this. I think it’s very important, both for the city and for Icelanders as a whole, to take part in the development of such vehicles. That we are participants and not just spectators. We have every opportunity to be an example for other nations.”
Public officials such as members of parliament, ministers and mayors are often offered official vehicles to use. Many, such as Minister of Education Katrín Jakobsdóttir, opt to continue using their personal vehicles. Others, such as Social Democrat Mörður Árnason, prefer to use a bicycle. Most of the time, though, public officials are offered SUVs and accept them.
Iceland’s hydrogen powered buses were once quite an attraction, but soon become prohibitively expensive to maintain. There has also been talk of developing electric cars in the capital area. One such recharging parking space was located in front of the restaurant Sólon on Bankastræti. Plans for developing an electric train between Keflavík and Reykjavík were kiboshed due to lack of funding.