Norwegian charging technology provider Easee, working alongside Subaru, has completed a pilot programme in Canada’s Northwest Territories demonstrating that an electric vehicle can be charged in the remote subarctic using only electricity from portable solar modules.
Conducted with territorial technicians and observed by members of the local Inuit community, the trial involved charging a Subaru Solterra using a test set-up of four next-generation solar modules connected to an EcoFlow battery and inverter system. Despite the limited daylight conditions in February, the vehicle charged reliably at around 25 percent of the rate of a conventional 7 kW home or public charger.
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The project points to the potential of intelligent, flexible charging solutions in some of the most remote and climate-exposed regions, reflecting a broader shift towards decentralised energy systems capable of operating independently of established grid infrastructure.
Building resilience in a rapidly warming Arctic
Climate change is affecting Canada’s Arctic and subarctic regions at roughly three times the global average rate. In recent years, wildfires have forced evacuations in Yellowknife, while drought conditions have disrupted water supply. At the same time, the cost of living has risen, as communities remain heavily dependent on fossil fuels transported over long distances.
Against this backdrop, solar deployment is increasing across the Northwest Territories, particularly in and around Yellowknife, where clear skies and strong solar irradiation provide favourable conditions. More remote communities are now exploring how renewable energy, combined with electrification, can reduce fuel dependence and strengthen long-term resilience.
The pilot also resonated with the indigenous Inuit community, where portable renewable energy is seen as supporting traditional, mobile ways of life. Flexible, rollable solar modules and portable wind turbines could in future be used to charge electric snowmobiles, enabling travel across traditional lands without the need to transport fuel.
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During the demonstration, a local resident, born in an igloo, described green technology as “essential for the relevance of future generations”. Electricians also connected the vehicle to power lighting inside an igloo, illustrating the versatility of EV batteries as mobile energy sources.
The results leave little ambiguity: where infrastructure is sparse and logistics are costly, portable solar and electrification can offer a viable, if still emerging, pathway to reduce dependence on imported fuels. (hcn)
