Car testing
“If it works in Kangerlussuaq it works everywhere”
With temperatures that reach as low as -40C and a stable winter climate, Kangerlussuaq has attracted many companies wishing to test their latest innovations under conditions of extreme cold. For example, Volkswagen were the ones who originally built the Ice Road so they could test their cars on the Ice Sheet (1999 – 2005), and BMW have tested their newest hybrid cars on various terrains around the town.
Why Kangerlussuaq?
Extensive road network – Kangerlussuaq has the largest road network in Greenland with around 100km of gravel roads. There are short hill climbs, sections with bends, and some roads can be sealed off from the public during winter.
Frozen lakes and fjord – These offer flat, smooth expanses for car tests. Larger lakes usually become sufficiently frozen from November, and the fjord freezes in December or January. All lakes and the fjord can typically be used for testing purposes through until the end of April.
Airport runway – measuring 2810 metres x 60 metres, Kangerlussuaq’s runway has previously been used for high mu reference tests. During winter, it is usually free of scheduled air traffic in weekends and on Wednesdays. The large apron south of the runway is seldom used during winter and is therefore usually available for packed snow or ice tests. Hangars and garages in the airport area can be rented from the airport or the current occupants. Contact the airport manager Ivaaq Christensen for more information ipec@mit.gl
ATV track to Sisimiut – due for completion in 2024, this rough track is available to all terrain vehicles throughout the year. In winter, it allows access to more lakes than can be reached with the existing road network, and pistenbullies will be able to transport large/heavier loads along the route.
Key test sites
Sandflugtsdalen – the river valley along the Ice Road widens to a 3.5km east-west x 1km north-south area close to the Ice Sheet (7km east-west x 1km north-south during winter).
It is suitable for high-speed testing and it’s fairly easy to build a track according to your requirements. During summer, the terrain is a mixture of gravel and sand left by the retreating glacier, and any tracks will be erased by wind within a few months.
This was a key test site for BMW in 2014, and the event site for Extreme E race in 2021. It is also used for drone tests, military exercises, and recreational driving.
North of airport – The area just north of the airport runway has been allocated as a cold climate test area in the 2015 municipal plan. Companies can construct tracks, skid pans, and other infrastructure for winter testing of cars in this area.
If a developer/car company would prefer another layout than what the municipal plan offers, please contact Laust Løgstrup: laul@qeqqata.gl at Qeqqata Municipality to discuss requirements.
