PHEVS COME TO ICELAND

In European countries where fuel costs over
$5/gallon, our 100+MPG message (translated to 40+
kilometers/liter plus electricity) resonates. And
the global warming benefit is of great interest
especially when the European Union is
establishing goals of 120 or 130 grams of
CO2/kilometer. A Prius conversion can emit less
than 110 grams/kilometer! (For documentation, see
the Technical Notes for the Presentation by
CalCars Tech Lead Ron Gremban at EET-2007
European Ele-Drive in Brussels last spring at
http://www.calcars.org/downloads.html )

Some time ago, we agreed to speak at a Sept.
17-18 conference in Iceland bringing together key
policymakers in that country along with many
leaders from Scandinavia and other parts of
Europe. We were interested in doing this because
we'd been hearing that this unique nation, 72%
powered by goethermal energy and hydropower, was
reconsidering its assumptions about a fuel-cell
future. We saw a chance to present the pathway of
electrifying transportation, using existing
technology and infrastructure, and avoiding the
high energy needed to electrolyze water into
hydrogen. (That said, there's still lots of
momentum for hydrogen in Iceland.)

With three cabinet ministers and the President
driving hybrids, the climate seemed favorable for
our message. (Barbara Boxer, Chairperson of the
Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, is
one of many recent visitors who have come to
learn about Iceland's renewable energy plans.)

Now we're happy to announce that not only will we
speak there, but working with the conference
organizers and government agencies, Iceland will
get its own converted Prius a week before the
conference, which will be available for
demonstrations, events, and evaluation in the
country after we leave. It's being converted by
Amberjac Projects Ltd, UK, which has completed
conversions in England and the Netherlands -- see
our "Where PHEVs Are and "How To Get" pages for links.

The National Energy Authority of Iceland, a key
sponsor of the conversion, will monitor the
performance of the car, owned by an individual
who lives in Akuyeri. (Tthis largest town outside
of the Reykjavic area is 100 km south of the
Arctic Circle, where temperatures go down to
-20C, though they may average between -5 and
+10C. So the car and its batteries will get a good workout!)


CONFERENCE PRESS RELEASE: ICELAND – LEADING THE
WORLD TOWARDS A 100% SUSTAINABLE ENERGY SOCIETY

Iceland is the world’s leading nation in
utilising renewable energy. Its next aim is to
tackle the transport industry. Renewable energy
for vehicles and sustainable solutions for
transport are the focus of Driving Sustainability
'07 Conference (www.driving.is) held in Reykjavik on September 17-18.

Iceland is a global leader in renewable energy
with 72% of its total energy consumption from
hydro- and geothermal sources. The remainder,
mostly fossil fuels, is consumed by the transport
and fishing sector. Iceland is now taking the
next step by increasing energy efficiency and the
share of renewable energy for vehicles. A
volcanic island with abundance of renewable
energy sources and a small nation with an
innovative mindset provides for an exciting case
study on how to move towards a 100% sustainable energy society.

The conference will provide an excellent
opportunity to network with policy makers and
fuel technology experts from around the world.
His Excellency, Olafur Ragnar Grimsson President
of Iceland, will open the conference. The first
keynote will be delivered by the Minister of
Finance, whose Ministry is in the process of
creating proposals for a new comprehensive
taxation framework for fuels and vehicles with
the aim of encouraging the use of eco-friendly
cars, energy efficiency, and decreasing emissions from transport.

Speakers include Icelandic, American, Swiss,
French, Danish and Swedish specialists in
pioneering policy and technology for eco-friendly
vehicles such as ethanol, biogas, hydrogen,
electric cars and plug-in hybrids. Organizations
represented include Ford Europe, MIT, California
Cars Initiative, French Ministry of Industry,
Icelandic Energy Authority, city of Copenhagen,
city of Reykjavik, city of Stockholm, and the Iceland Innovation Institute.

Opportunities for expert guided tours of
Iceland’s many hydroelectric and state of the art
geothermal power plants can be arranged for
visiting journalists and interested parties, as
well as visits to a biogas production facility
and the world’s first hydrogen refuelling
station. The sources of Iceland’s renewable
energy are best enjoyed by visiting Iceland’s
many spectacular waterfalls, hot springs and
geysers, and of course by relaxing in the Blue
Lagoon outdoor spa under a starlit sky in the middle of a lava field.

Conference Director: Mr. Teitur Torkelsson: see
http://www.driving.is for media contact information

CALCARS NOTE: Media interested in participating
can arrive early for a Sept. 13 competition on
the streets of Reykjavic among cars using
gasoline, diesel, biogas, hydrogen and
electricity, judged by C02 emissions, energy
consumption and the cost. The conference and its
sponsors can arrange interviews with Ministers,
CEO's in the power sector, visits to power
plants, and Icelandair may even be able to cover some travel costs.


FROM A LOCAL NEWS REPORT: FIRST PHEV IN ICELAND
Iceand Review 08/26/2007
http://www.icelandreview.com/icelandreview/daily_news/?cat_id=16568&ew_0_a_id=28\
7922

During the conference, Iceland’s Minister of
Finance Árni Mathiesen, will present the
government’s policy on changes of tariffs and
planned financial encouragement to increase
eco-friendly vehicles and energy sources.

Iceland’s Minister of the Environment Thórunn
Sveinbjarnardóttir will discuss how we can reduce
CO2 emissions caused by transportation and submit
the thesis: "Can Iceland become a leading nation
in eco-friendly energy use in transportation?"

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Felix Kramer fkramer@...
Founder California Cars Initiative
http://www.calcars.org
http://www.calcars.org/news-archive.html
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