A successful solar EV charging pilot in the far North could power the territory’s electric future—and more.
A place with more than eight months of limited daylight has become a prime example of how to move car owners away from fossil fuels, regardless of climate conditions.
Easee, a Norwegian pioneer in smart electric vehicle (EV) charging technology, has successfully completed a pilot program with Subaru in Canada’s Northwest Territories (NWT), in which an EV was charged in the remote sub-Arctic using power generated solely from portable solar panels. The effort counters a belief that solar energy is only fully functional in hotter, sun-intensive locales.
Researchers used some of the oldest housing technology as base camp, while testing exteme temperature effects on solar charging.The ability to power electric vehicles (EV) with solar panels and EV chargers could reduce dependency on expensive and hard-to-transport fossil fuels in the Arctic. Courtesy of Easee
The trial, carried out in collaboration with technicians from the NWT and observed by members of the local Inuit community, resulted in an electric Subaru Solterra being successfully charged using a test rig comprising of four latest-generation solar panels connected to an EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 battery and inverter system.
Despite the challenging February light conditions—overall, NWT at that time averages a mere 2.5 hours of unobstructed sunlight per day, according to WorldData.Info—the vehicle charged reliably at approximately 25 percent of the speed of a conventional 7 kilowatt (kW) home or public charger, according to Easee CEO Anthony Fernandez. Use of 8-10 more solar panels would match the conventional speed rate.
Such a finding means that solar energy can be used virtually anywhere in the world, according to Madison Marple, public relations specialist with Subaru Canada. “This project was a natural fit for the Subaru Solterra,” he says. “It’s important to continue to demonstrate the durability and viability of EVs in more-extreme climates. We are grateful for the help of Easee and our other project partners to bring this demonstration to life.”
Four sets of solar panels are doing what people said wasn’t realistic in the Arctic: Making photovoltaic a suitable form of energy for cars, homes and businesses in the far North. CREDIT: Courtesy of Easee
Supporting Resilience
Climate change is impacting Canada’s Arctic and sub-Arctic regions at a rate three times faster than temperate and tropical zones. In recent years, forest fires have forced evacuations from local communities, while drought conditions have affected water supplies. At the same time, the cost of living has surged as communities remain heavily reliant on fossil fuel flown or transported over vast distances.
With unpolluted skies and intense sunlight, solar power adoption is accelerating across the NWT. More remote communities are now exploring how renewables, combined with electrification, can reduce fuel dependency and improve long-term resilience.
The pilot between Easee and Subaru demonstrates how smart EV charging infrastructure can operate far beyond traditional grid-connected settings—opening new possibilities for transport, energy independence and lower-emission living in the North, the companies note.
The test also sparked enthusiasm within the indigenous Inuit community, who see portable renewable energy as key to maintaining their traditional, nomadic way of life.
Flexible, roll-up solar panels and portable wind turbines could in future be used to charge electric snowmobiles, enabling travel across traditional lands without carrying fuel.
During the demonstration, one local resident—born in an igloo—described green technology as critical to maintaining relevance for future generations. Electricians even connected the electric vehicle to power a light inside an igloo, illustrating the versatility of EV batteries as mobile energy sources.
The successful charging of a Subaru vehicle using solar energy alone reinforces the potential for electric transport solutions in regions where logistics, fuel costs and environmental pressures are increasingly challenging.
Due to environmental conditions, charging a Subaru Solterra in the sub-Arctic isn’t as fast as doing so in a warmer climate, but it’s more efficient than the perception that it can’t be done at all. CREDIT: Courtesy of Easee
A Remote Electrification Blueprint
As the Arctic grows in strategic and environmental importance, scalable, smart charging solutions will play a crucial role in enabling sustainable mobility. The Northwest Territories pilot provides a blueprint for how renewable generation, battery storage and intelligent EV charging can work together—even in extreme climates.
Easee’s smart charging technology is designed to integrate seamlessly with renewable energy systems, optimizing charging performance while supporting grid stability where grid infrastructure exists. In off-grid scenarios such as this pilot, the technology demonstrates its flexibility and robustness in harnessing distributed clean energy sources.
“Our purpose is to make electrification effortless for everyone,” says Fernandez.
Alan Naditz is managing editor of Green Builder Magazine. He has covered numerous industries in his extensive career, including residential and commercial construction, small and corporate business, real estate and sustainability.
Off-Grid in the Arctic
A successful solar EV charging pilot in the far North could power the territory’s electric future—and more.
A place with more than eight months of limited daylight has become a prime example of how to move car owners away from fossil fuels, regardless of climate conditions.
Easee, a Norwegian pioneer in smart electric vehicle (EV) charging technology, has successfully completed a pilot program with Subaru in Canada’s Northwest Territories (NWT), in which an EV was charged in the remote sub-Arctic using power generated solely from portable solar panels. The effort counters a belief that solar energy is only fully functional in hotter, sun-intensive locales.
Researchers used some of the oldest housing technology as base camp, while testing exteme temperature effects on solar charging.The ability to power electric vehicles (EV) with solar panels and EV chargers could reduce dependency on expensive and hard-to-transport fossil fuels in the Arctic. Courtesy of Easee
The trial, carried out in collaboration with technicians from the NWT and observed by members of the local Inuit community, resulted in an electric Subaru Solterra being successfully charged using a test rig comprising of four latest-generation solar panels connected to an EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 battery and inverter system.
Despite the challenging February light conditions—overall, NWT at that time averages a mere 2.5 hours of unobstructed sunlight per day, according to WorldData.Info—the vehicle charged reliably at approximately 25 percent of the speed of a conventional 7 kilowatt (kW) home or public charger, according to Easee CEO Anthony Fernandez. Use of 8-10 more solar panels would match the conventional speed rate.
“Together with Subaru, we’ve demonstrated that smart EV charging can operate beyond traditional grid infrastructure,” Fernandez says. “Using portable solar power in sub-Arctic conditions, we’ve shown that electrification is viable even in remote environments.”
Such a finding means that solar energy can be used virtually anywhere in the world, according to Madison Marple, public relations specialist with Subaru Canada. “This project was a natural fit for the Subaru Solterra,” he says. “It’s important to continue to demonstrate the durability and viability of EVs in more-extreme climates. We are grateful for the help of Easee and our other project partners to bring this demonstration to life.”
Four sets of solar panels are doing what people said wasn’t realistic in the Arctic: Making photovoltaic a suitable form of energy for cars, homes and businesses in the far North. CREDIT: Courtesy of Easee
Supporting Resilience
Climate change is impacting Canada’s Arctic and sub-Arctic regions at a rate three times faster than temperate and tropical zones. In recent years, forest fires have forced evacuations from local communities, while drought conditions have affected water supplies. At the same time, the cost of living has surged as communities remain heavily reliant on fossil fuel flown or transported over vast distances.
With unpolluted skies and intense sunlight, solar power adoption is accelerating across the NWT. More remote communities are now exploring how renewables, combined with electrification, can reduce fuel dependency and improve long-term resilience.
The pilot between Easee and Subaru demonstrates how smart EV charging infrastructure can operate far beyond traditional grid-connected settings—opening new possibilities for transport, energy independence and lower-emission living in the North, the companies note.
The test also sparked enthusiasm within the indigenous Inuit community, who see portable renewable energy as key to maintaining their traditional, nomadic way of life.
Flexible, roll-up solar panels and portable wind turbines could in future be used to charge electric snowmobiles, enabling travel across traditional lands without carrying fuel.
During the demonstration, one local resident—born in an igloo—described green technology as critical to maintaining relevance for future generations. Electricians even connected the electric vehicle to power a light inside an igloo, illustrating the versatility of EV batteries as mobile energy sources.
The successful charging of a Subaru vehicle using solar energy alone reinforces the potential for electric transport solutions in regions where logistics, fuel costs and environmental pressures are increasingly challenging.
Due to environmental conditions, charging a Subaru Solterra in the sub-Arctic isn’t as fast as doing so in a warmer climate, but it’s more efficient than the perception that it can’t be done at all. CREDIT: Courtesy of Easee
A Remote Electrification Blueprint
As the Arctic grows in strategic and environmental importance, scalable, smart charging solutions will play a crucial role in enabling sustainable mobility. The Northwest Territories pilot provides a blueprint for how renewable generation, battery storage and intelligent EV charging can work together—even in extreme climates.
Easee’s smart charging technology is designed to integrate seamlessly with renewable energy systems, optimizing charging performance while supporting grid stability where grid infrastructure exists. In off-grid scenarios such as this pilot, the technology demonstrates its flexibility and robustness in harnessing distributed clean energy sources.
“Our purpose is to make electrification effortless for everyone,” says Fernandez.
By Alan Naditz
Alan Naditz is managing editor of Green Builder Magazine. He has covered numerous industries in his extensive career, including residential and commercial construction, small and corporate business, real estate and sustainability.Also Read