EVs need a charging station, even in the most remote areas. Subaru helped install a public EV charging station in “the world's most remote location.” To test it, the Subaru Solterra was sent to the island of St Helena. Check out the video below.
Subhura Solterra is testing a public EV charger at a distance
At over 1,200 kilometers from the nearest mainland, St Helena is considered one of the most remote places in the world.
Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled to the island after his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo. The British government chose St Helena because it was independent.
St Helena is roughly halfway between Africa and Brazil. Its rugged, volcanic terrain makes it an ideal home for rare species found nowhere else in the world.
Although only four electric cars are currently in use, the island is full of Subarus. As its first electric SUV rolls out around the world, Subaru is holding a trial of an “extremely remote” public EV charging station installed in the capital city of Jamestown.
Subaru has partnered with Norwegian EV brand Easee and the government of St Helena to install a charging station at the Island's museum.
The trial lasted two months. The Subaru Solterra was charged using an Easee EV charger connected to the St Helena grid. Then it was “revealed” in the desert area of this island.
Subaru's symmetrical AWD system helped the Solterra “stick to the rocky terrain of the volcanic island.” After a day of driving, the electric SUV covered about 50 miles on the 10×5 mile island, using at least 20% of the battery capacity.
“From Subaru's perspective, it is an honor to be involved in a project that can lead to a fully sustainable future for Saint Helena,” said Subaru UK managing director Lorraine Bishton after the achievement.
By 2028, the government of St Helena plans for 80% of the island's energy to come from wind and solar. It currently has a wind farm and a solar array that provides up to 25% of its energy needs.
The Easee charging station will remain on the island as it expands its infrastructure, and EVs are brought in for use by tourists and residents by 2025. Subaru said the Solterra “proved to be very popular with the Saints,” and they received “many donations from residents to purchase it. .
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