Saint Helena is a small island, located 1,200 miles off Africa’s southwest coast. This isolated spot is famous for being Napoleon’s last place of exile and is home to Jonathan, a tortoise that’s 192 years old. Recently, it became the site of the world’s most remote public electric vehicle charging point.
This charger is part of an ambitious plan for Saint Helena to use sustainable energy and achieve zero-emission transport by the decade’s end. Subaru, the well-known car maker, teamed up with Norwegian EV charger company Easee and the St Helena Government. Together, they are exploring how electric vehicles can fit into life on such a remote island.
As part of their two-month project, an Easee charger was set up next to the Jamestown Museum. It connects to the island’s power grid, managed by Connect St Helena Ltd. The first vehicle to test the charger was the Subaru Solterra. It was put through various challenges across the rugged terrain of the island.
Currently, only four electric vehicles are present on Saint Helena, none equipped with the latest technology. This made the arrival of the Solterra a big deal. After driving a demanding 50-mile course over both paved and dirt roads, it consumed less than 20% of its battery power. This performance surprised many locals.
Saint Helena is taking steps towards renewable energy. It has both a wind farm and solar panels, providing about 25% of the island’s electricity. The remaining power comes from a diesel plant that spends about £5 million (around $6 million) on fuel shipped from South Africa each year. The island aims for 80% of its power to come from renewable sources by 2028.
The Easee charger will remain on the island to support a fleet of new electric cars for residents and tourists arriving this year. This marks the start of a new chapter in the island’s transport story.
“We’re proud to be part of a project that could lead to a greener future for Saint Helena,” said Lorraine Bishton, Managing Director of Subaru UK. She added that not having to send a technician with the Solterra shows its reliability. If it can handle the tough conditions of Saint Helena, it can thrive anywhere.
Mark Brooks, the island’s Minister for Treasury and Economic Development, also sees this as a significant step. “We need to build the necessary infrastructure to encourage more electric vehicle use. Currently, most cars here run on diesel or petrol, but it’s time to change that.”
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