Solar panels actually do rather well in the north, even in winter. They are more efficient at cold temperatures. When the sun is up, colder air tends to have fewer clouds and having the sun lower on the horizon means static panels can be pointed more efficiently. Shorter trees mean housed generally have a better view of the horizon/sky/sun. And snow on the ground acts as a reflector, increasing the light hitting the panels. So long as you are below the actual arctic circle, there is a place for panels even in winter.

Whitehorse in the Yukon has more sunny days than anywhere else in Canada.

Sure, the sun is only above the horizon for four hours a day, but during that time you get a good amount of power from your chilly panels.

When I lived up there I knew a ton of people living off-grid with solar and a battery setup. It's really common.

Current ICEs seem to be doing a good job of working everywhere. I won't downplay their disadvantages, but the slope down from the current local maximum is pretty steep, and it's not obvious that area electric cars currently (or can in the next 10 years) occupy constitutes an improvement.