Subaru to test EV charging in St. Helena

From the newsletter

Japanese automaker Subaru will be collaborating with Easee, a Norwegian EV charging company, to pilot an EV charging study in St. Helena in the next two months. The island has the potential to adopt EVs faster due to its smaller size, and unique geography, which beats the range phobia associated with EVs. 

• The island aims to increase its renewable energy access to 80% by 2028, up from the current 20%, despite already achieving 100% electrification access for its population. This initiative will improve green energy availability for charging electric vehicles.

• With such a Subaru model travelling 80km only consumes 20% of the battery charge. Therefore, a fully charged EV with a similar range can be used for days without charging.

More details

• Easee has established itself in Europe by providing adaptable, user-friendly chargers that integrate seamlessly into renewable energy networks. While Easee’s projects in Africa are limited, its scalable technology makes it a promising partner for addressing the continent’s e-mobility challenges

• Despite the vast electrification, St. Helena relies on imported diesel for 75% of its electricity supply, costing $6.2 million annually. This heavy dependence underscores the need to transition to renewable energy sources, which would not only reduce costs but also support the development of a sustainable EV charging network. With plans to increase renewable energy to 80% by 2028, St. Helena provides an ideal environment to test the integration of e-mobility with renewable energy solutions.

• Easee and Subaru plan is well-suited for rural African regions where infrastructure is often underdeveloped, and road conditions are challenging. For example, Kenya’s Roam solar stand-alone chargers, which support 400–500 transactions daily, provide critical charging solutions for electric motorcycles and could be scaled for larger EVs. Similarly, South Africa’s Charge initiative, with 120 planned off-grid charging stations, demonstrates how renewable-powered EV infrastructure can reduce reliance on unreliable national grids. These examples illustrate the potential of combining solar-powered charging stations with EVs to meet Africa’s e-mobility needs.

• Tourism contributes 9% to St. Helena's GDP, presenting a significant opportunity for EV leasing to cater to eco-conscious travellers. Leasing mitigates the high upfront costs of EV ownership, enabling both locals and visitors to access modern, sustainable transport solutions. Additionally, leasing supports secondary markets for pre-owned EVs, creating opportunities for job creation in vehicle maintenance and leasing operations. Tourists also benefit from cost savings, reliable transport on rugged terrains, and the novelty of advanced EV technologies like regenerative braking systems.

• Several EV models could complement the Subaru Solterra in remote regions. The Toyota bZ4X, with its all-wheel-drive capability and 500 km range. The Hyundai Kona EV’s known for its compact design and efficiency and the Nissan Leaf, known for its affordability and simplicity, can cater to short-distance commutes on small islands. Also, Electric motorcycles could thrive in such areas since most of the models cover 70-80 km on a fully charged single battery. 

• Some of the potential markets include the Lamu islands in Kenya, areas around Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda, La Digue Island in Seychelles, and Fogo Island in Cape Verde.

• Norway’s EV adoption success stems from government incentives, widespread charging networks, and renewable energy integration—factors that align with St. Helena’s goals. Both regions share small, manageable populations and rugged terrains, making Norway’s transition strategies relevant. Public-private partnerships, as seen in Norway, could help overcome logistical challenges and accelerate e-mobility in African islands.

• St. Helena is one of the most geographically isolated places on Earth, situated over 1,950 km from the African coast and more than 4,000 km from South America. This remoteness significantly increases the logistical challenges of importing vehicles, fuels, and other resources.

Our take

• Areas with similar demographics like St. Helena offer potential markets since range anxiety will not be a challenge. This could be the selling point for multiple EV manufacturers or suppliers.

• Lessons from its EV adoption and renewable energy integration could serve as blueprints for larger remote regions with similar challenges, such as Cape Verde and Comoros. For instance, Cape Verde generates 25% of its electricity from wind and solar, while Comoros is exploring solar projects to electrify rural areas. These regions, with their manageable populations and renewable energy ambitions, share similarities with St. Helena, making them potential candidates for replicating this model.

• Flexible models such as leasing and shared mobility are essential for addressing affordability and accessibility challenges, particularly in tourism-driven economies.