The US embassy now has two hybrid cars added to its fleet, in keeping with what appears to be a growing trend in Iceland.
A statement to the press from the embassy states:
The U.S. Embassy in Reykjavik has updated its vehicle fleet by purchasing two 2011 Ford Escape hybrid sport utility vehicles. U.S. Ambassador to Iceland Luis E. Arreaga took possession of the vehicles at Frumherji today and drove one of them to the U.S. Embassy. “These environmentally friendly vehicles will better serve the needs of the U.S. Embassy for travel in Reykjavik and throughout Iceland,” Luis said. “They are efficient, agile American cars that will help us reduce our carbon footprint while embracing green technologies.” Each vehicle cost $31,000. Other American embassies in Europe that are also using hybrid vehicles include Budapest, Zagreb, Sofia, Bucharest, Brussels, and Munich.
Greener vehicles for public use is not without precedent in Iceland. Last year, Reykjavík mayor Jón Gnarr received a hydrogen car, although he was criticised by city council opposition for it, accused of breaking ethics guidelines for making a deal with a private company.
An interest in green cars has been growing in a more general sense as well. Buses and garbage trucks running on methane can be seen downtown, and two companies would like to import electric cars in the near future.
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