Logistics
History
Kangerlussuaq has attracted many companies testing their latest inventions in extreme cold climate. “If it works in Kangerlussuaq, it works everywhere”. The advantage is a stable winter climate with temperatures down to minus 40 degrees Celsius. The proximity of the cooling Ice Sheet gives Kangerlussuaq unique test opportunities, especially in October-November, compared to other facilities in the Arctic.
Leading car manufactories of Europe have tested their cars in and around Kangerlussuaq. VW even built the road to the Ice Sheet, when they tested cars on the Ice Sheet in 1999-2005. In 2014 BMW tested their newest hybrid cars on the road network of Kangerlussuaq, in Sandflugtsdalen, on different lakes and on the runway.
Road Network
Kangerlussuaq has the largest road network in Greenland consisting of approximately 100 km. Greenlands longest road from the Ice Sheet entrance at Point 660 via Kangerlussuaq town to the research station of Kellyville is 50 km.
Most of the road network is gravel, but 12 km from Kangerlussuaq to the port is partly paved but not suitable for fast driving. The road network gives opportunities for short hill climbing and sections with bends. Some roads can be sealed off from the public during winter season.