The first DaimlerChrysler buses using hydrogen fuel cells have arrived in Reykjavik, five years after the idea of hydrogen buses was first mentioned as an Icelandic delegation visited DaimlerChrysler.

The hydrogen buses are already running quietly on the streets of Reykjavík, operated by the local bus company Strætó bs, and Iceland has thus taken global lead in the field of hydrogen production.

The ECTOS project in Iceland aims to test three buses using hydrogen as fuel. In addition, a Shell hydrogen station will be operated to produce hydrogen for refuelling. Similar projects are being launched in ten other cities, nine in Europe and one in Australia.

The ECTOS project generates a turnover of USD 13 million for energy-related research and development in Iceland. An Icelandic company founded to promote advances in hydrogen technology, Icelandic New Energy, has received one thousand foreign guests during the last twelve months, showing the immense interest the hydrogen project provokes.

Icelandic New Energy website