Easee has completed a pilot programme with Subaru in Canada’s Northwest Territories to evaluate electric vehicle (EV) charging in a remote sub-Arctic environment using portable solar generation.
The trial involved charging a Subaru Solterra using a temporary off-grid setup consisting of four portable solar panels connected to an Ecoflow battery and inverter system.
The test was conducted in February under limited daylight conditions. Charging performance reached approximately 25% of the rate of a standard 7-kW Level 2 ac charger.
The project assessed the technical feasibility of operating EV charging infrastructure independent of grid connection in cold-climate conditions. The system combined distributed solar generation, battery storage, and smart charging controls to manage available power and maintain charging continuity.
The pilot demonstrated that portable photovoltaic panels paired with storage and inverter systems can supply sufficient energy for controlled EV charging in winter conditions. Although charging rates were reduced compared to grid-connected Level 2 systems, the results indicate that low-power charging remains operationally viable for remote use cases.
The demonstration also included bidirectional energy use from the vehicle battery to power a low-load lighting application, illustrating the potential role of EV batteries as temporary mobile energy sources in off-grid environments.
Implications for remote electrification
The pilot provides a reference case for off-grid EV charging in extreme climates. For engineers evaluating electrification in remote regions, the system architecture highlights several key elements:
- Distributed renewable generation sized for seasonal variability
- Battery storage to buffer intermittent solar input
- Inverter systems compatible with EV charging requirements
- Smart charging controls to manage limited available power
In grid-connected regions, smart charging systems are typically deployed to balance loads and support grid stability. In off-grid applications, similar control strategies are required to optimize available renewable energy and prevent system overload.
The Northwest Territories trial indicates that EV charging can be technically implemented in remote sub-Arctic conditions using portable renewable generation, with performance dependent on available irradiance, storage capacity, and system sizing. The results contribute to ongoing engineering evaluation of electrification pathways in regions where traditional infrastructure is limited.
Filed Under: Charging, Technology News