Retired athlete Einar Vilhjalmsson and television news journalist Omar Ragnarsson last weekend drove the ring road all the way round Iceland in a car powered by Icelandic methane. Never before has the ring road been navigated in a motor vehicle powered solely by Icelandic fuel.
Internet users were able to follow the car on its way round the country with satellite information on speed and location on a special map of Iceland.
The goal of the trip was to generate interest in the options presented by domestic fuel production and in methane cars as a cleaner, more efficient alternative to petrol and diesel.
Mbl.is reports that methane vehicles are tax-exempt and plans are already underway to allow members of the public to convert their cars to run on the gas.
Iceland’s Minister for Industry, Energy and Tourism, Katrin Juliusdottir met with the celebrity environmentalists on their return to Reykjavik and was photographed at the wheel of the car.
Again cheap eco-propaganda from the enviroment-political clown Omar Ragnarsson. In Eastern Europe people have been eco-driving on methane for ages and this is well known to Icelanders (see the source). No comment for the line “and [she] was photographed at the wheel of the car”.
Source:
http://www.metan.is/bindata/documents/Til%20Islands%20a%20metanbifreid%20fra%20Bulgariu%20(2)!_00071.doc
http://209.85.229.132/search?q=cache:y-O_CQ0Ktf8J:www.metan.is/bindata/documents/Til%2520Islands%2520a%2520metanbifreid%2520fra%2520Bulgariu%2520%282%29!_00071.doc
Indeed, I agree, lame propaganda and check out the typical nationalistic card
” Never before has the ring road been navigated in a motor vehicle powered solely by Icelandic fuel.”
)o( !!
Either Italy, Balkanson ;)
However, methane became expensive since 2006. Grrr (I’d suggest a LPG-powered car instead) :(
Maybe Omar should keep us informed each time he takes those solo trips in that petrol guzzling private plane he flies. When he lands Katrin Juliusdottir should meet the plane with a big sign that reads “Thanks Omar for protecting the environment”.
I don’t see the propaganda or nationalism too badly here. Nobody is denying that Iceland has had methane buses and rubbish trucks for a few years. Nobody is saying that this is groundbreaking new never before seen technology.
What this is, is a stunt to promote methane cars among the public – which I think is a great idea!
Also, the fact that nobody had ever before gone around all of Iceland in an Icelandic-powered motor vehicle is actually quite important to the story….
It is disapointing to see Ómar Ragnarsson getting into bed with Left Green crazies.
It was surpising enough that he give his political party to Social Democrats before last election — despite fact that Social Democrats are for more centralized power opposite of his Living Land party ideology.
His idea about wilderness ( more like Sierra Club in US than Greepeace idiots ) may have point but his recent political bed fellows show poor judgements.
As to publicity stunt, why not.
No thinking man is for long term use of fossil fuels except for important function like making plastics, etc as it difficult to make non poluting internal combustion engines.
But humans are long way from using methane and fuel cells because of installed base of cars, trucks, power stations.
Iceland can and will become energy self sustaining not just from using fuel cell hydrogen and maybe methane but also because of oil and gas from Dreki region so it does not need to import :–
http://www.icenews.is/index.php/2009/04/02/more-evidence-of-oil-near-iceland
If you can get you energy needs from own hydrothermal resources at cheap cost and export oil and gas for nice income why not ?
Icelanders as nation can lead move away from gasoline dependence to fuel cell hydrogen electric car and maybe methane. There are some cool looking electric cars sedan and sports car now.
So why not ?
I agree with you Fisi, the only thing that now it is late for that, they should have done this years a go when they where trying the buses etc.. instead of encouraging people to buy big engine cars because it looks cool or it busted their egos , now that cheap energy is going to become more expensive.
Your ideas are good as many people were suggesting them years back but were never listen to, the gas companies still have lots of power in the island and can bribe any government or politicians as times are f*ck and people want to save their ass. That oil that was found will not fix much fictional hopes for the masses.
” Also, the fact that nobody had ever before gone around all of Iceland in an Icelandic-powered motor vehicle is actually quite important to the story….”
So what if it was done with and foreign power motor vehicle, would that not make it as important?
Keep giving the ” sheepi’ nationalistic crap to keep them divided and pick up their ego so the big guys can play around with out any opposition.
Wake up!! and connect the dots!!
>Aggi: “Indeed, I agree, lame propaganda and check out the typical nationalistic card” – It is in every persons and nations nature to be nationalistic.
To survival Icelanders probably need to be more nationalistic than others.
“So what if it was done with and foreign power motor vehicle, would that not make it as important?” Then the answer in most countries would have been that “they” selected “us”.
“Made in Iceland” is still a very good brand – there is at least no need for Icelanders to destroy it.
” t is in every persons and nations nature to be nationalistic.”
“To survival Icelanders probably need to be more nationalistic than others.”
Nationalism is a tool to manipulate the “sheepi” and keep the rule of divided and conquer.
i want full information about history of iceland can you help me
Hi ! There are more effective fuel solutions like E85 ( ethanol/petrol ) – FFV standart, biodiesel( algae oil, rapseeds oil, waste oil ) , than methatane !
Methane! I am not an expert on alternative fuel and its capabilities. Would someone direct me on how this would be produced to serve a wide population and what type of mileage would it achieve? Also would it be safe for vehicles currently on the road or would cars require modification? Is methane sustainable and would there be limitations to its use?
Sorry for all the questions, however it appears majority of the comments are responded with knowledge and technical experience. I am interested in learning more about alternative fuels as we I have heard and read many variations. This causes doubt and arguments then become futile. If there really is another option to our ongoing fuel shortage; then this should be encouraged not become a political debate that negates the benefits and raises doubt. I recall when vehicles were transitioning to GAS and all the propaganda that went with that is still embedded in my mind today.