A motorcade of brand-new Hyundai Ioniq electric vehicles, valued at $1.7 million landed cost, purchased by the Cook Islands government for the 52nd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting next week, underwent its first drive trial around the island last week.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, the first trial of the “Leaders’ motorcade movement” was undertaken on Friday to ensure that the vehicles are operating properly and that the motorcade route is efficient.

MFAI said that “when moving, the Leaders motorcade will be led by Cook Islands Police and vehicles in the vicinity at the time are requested to pull to the side to allow the motorcade to pass”.

A second trial of the electric vehicles is planned for this Wednesday, November 1.

In August, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration stated that the purchase of the electric vehicles is in keeping with “government’s continued efforts towards green and clean transportation”.

The ministry also stated that among its hosting obligations for the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting is the requirement to provide in-country transportation for visiting leaders.

The Cook Islands government has announced that the electric vehicles will be available for pre-sale to the public and for replacement vehicles within the government’s vehicle fleet after the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting.

The Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting will be held from November 6-10 in Rarotonga and Aitutaki.