Off the grid and on the fence: Unpacking electric vehicle adoption barriers in isolated microgrids

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is an international impetus to transition from vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICE) to electric vehicles (EV). While this transition is happening rapidly in some regions of the world that are mainly urbanized, other predominantly rural and less developed regions are slower to adopt this technology. Rural Alaska serves as an example with its not-road-connected communities, high cost of electricity, extreme environmental conditions, and isolated power grids often powered by diesel. This study used co-production and mixed methods to identify barriers and perceived benefits towards EV adoption and explore EV adoption rates across the Arctic. We conducted community workshops in Bethel, Galena, and Kotzebue, Alaska, and 25 interviews with businesses and local governments. The top five impediments to EV adoption are the inability to maintain vehicles locally, cold weather performance, higher purchase prices compared to ICE vehicles, and the cost of electricity. The successful adoption of EVs in isolated microgrid communities in the Arctic requires investments in appropriate financial incentives, especially for low-income households, expansion of renewable power generation, and climate and culture-relevant proof-of-concept vehicles. Residents acknowledged that EVs generally operate much cleaner than vehicles with ICE, can have lower fuel and maintenance costs, and cause less air and noise pollution. We propose a framework to develop policies to facilitate the adoption of EVs in rural areas. Policy implications for overcoming the challenges related to the transition to EVs in remote rural parts of the globe are discussed.