Day 3

Electric vehicle drivers from around the country spent the third day of the 2022 Arctic Road Rally at the northern terminus of the 1,096-mile roundtrip route, dipping their toes into the Arctic Ocean at Oliktok Point and participated in an EV display hosted by ConocoPhillips, a major sponsor of the electric vehicle demonstration event. 

Against a backdrop of processing facilities and oil infrastructure, drivers and oilfield workers connected for conversations about energy transitions and transportation electrification — the technology, the uses, the benefits, and the areas in need of further innovation. It marked a significant step in the push toward cleaner, more efficient transportation options for industrial uses. 

As ConocoPhillips works to achieve net-zero operational emissions by 2050, company managers say electric transportation could play an important role. 

“Partnering with Launch Alaska and the Alaska Electric Vehicle Association assists us in our continuing evaluation of vehicle electrification technology for use in our operations,” said Greater Kuparuk Area Operations Manager Mike Timmcke. “ConocoPhillips has already invested in hybrid vehicle technologies in our North Slope truck fleet to improve fuel efficiency and we are purchasing several fully electric trucks for our vehicle fleet to evaluate EV truck performance in harsh arctic conditions. Electric vehicle technology is a promising option for ConocoPhillips to reduce fuel consumption in our operations on the Alaska North Slope.”

Photos by Kirsten Swann / Launch Alaska.