Reducing emissions from transportation is an optimal opportunity for Iceland to tackle climate change, as well as improving air quality in populated areas. Due to the nature of operations by Reykjavik Energy Group and its subsidiaries, it is only corollary to support the electrification of the transportation system.

In 2020, ON Power installed its first 150 kW charging points for electric cars (EV). Reykjavik Energy Group awarded financial support for the installation of charging points at apartment buildings, and Veitur Utilities has been commissioned, along with several other companies, to partake in the implementation of the electrification of Reykjavik Harbour, a project aimed at reducing emissions from the harbour's operations, lowering the volume of CO₂ equivalents by approximately 10 thousand tonnes.

Three times more powerful charging points at ON Power

In 2020, ON Power opened six new EV rapid-charging points to the public, which are three times more powerful, or 150 kW, compared to the previous 50 kW charging points, installed in 2014. The number of electric cars equipped to use these powerful charging points, is constantly on the rise, and the plan is to increase the number of stations for rapid-charging points by up to ten. Furthermore, there was a considerable increase in the number of regular charging points from ON Power, up to 22 kW, but those are identified for businesses or homeowner's associations, and not for the general public. On Power won a bid for tender by the municipalities of Reykjavík and Garðabær, in the third quarter. The project involves installing a total of 180 rapid-charging points in public parking facilities. Completion is estimated in the first quarter of 2021.

Agreements with a few companies, regarding the location of ON Power charging stations, expired in 2020, these location were mainly at petrol stations. The solution was to install new charging points close to prior locations. Competition in the charging market increased during the year, as new companies entered the market. A complaint was filed against ON Power, which in turn objected the base of the complaint. At year end, a verdict was still pending.

Grants for homeowner's associations

In spring of 2019, an agreement was reached between the City of Reykjavík, Reykjavik Energy Group and Veitur Utilities for extensive development of infrastructure for electric car owners in the city. The agreement comprises that Veitur Utilities will run a local loop for charging appliances at the City of Reykjavík's various facilities, and elsewhere, according to suggestions from citizens. Furthermore, Reykjavik Energy Group and the City of Reykjavík will establish a fund, intended to support installation of charging points for residents by homeowner's associations in apartment buildings. Subsequently, Veitur Utilities and Reykjavik Energy Group made a similar agreement with the municipality of Akranes.

For Reykjavik Energy Group's payments to household associations, according to agreements, see table below.

The electrification of Reykjavik Harbour

Veitur Utilities, the Associated Icelandic Ports (Faxaflóahafnir), and the Treasury, will each award ISK 100 million to the first phase in the furtherance of electrical connections for larger vessels, and if all goes to plan, cargo ships from the freight companies Eimskip and Samskip will be able to connect to land-based electricity in 2021. The project is in accordance with Iceland's policies regarding climate issues. The prerequisite for these powerful connections, is the construction of a new conveying station by Veitur Utilities, at the Sægarðar dock, which also will serve to improve electricity delivery reliability for the capital area.