Electric vehicle road trip ideas and tips

Planning your EV road trip

• Key considerations for road trips in an EV

  First, use PlugShare or your favourite EV mapping app to map out the charging station location you'd like to use on your road trip. Check which stops offer good food, coffee, shopping, or fun activities, as popular stations at busy times of the year may require a stop of an hour or two. Have a backup plan with a "just-in-case" charger within 75 km of your planned spot.

  Here are a few other things to consider as you plan your trip:

  • Embrace the journey. Charming small towns, farm markets or a short hike can be great experiences en route.
  • Plan for range variables. The following can decrease your range:
    • Use of air conditioning or heating
    • Very cold weather, which can also slow down your charging
    • Steep hills and mountain driving, even taking into account the regenerative braking of your EV on the downhills.
  • Check the popularity of planned charging station(s). In the days before your trip, check how often EVs are checked in to the chargers in your trip plan, what time of day is busiest, etc. to plan accordingly.
  • Target regions with great charging networks. Much of Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland to southern Interior, and Kootenays are well served by fast charging stations, including several in remote locations well outside city centres. Later this year, BC Hydro is opening fast charging stations on the routes to Prince George.
  • Learn EV charging etiquette. Read about charging etiquette here, and always use your app to check in and out of a charging station.
• Driving an EV across the border

  It's generally easy to charge along major routes south of the border, but you'll see a variety of stations, compatible apps, plug type compatibility, and payment methods. Costs range from free, to flat fees, to per-minute fees.

  In the United States, you can initiate charges at most stations with either a ChargePoint, Electrify America, or PlugShare app, so it's a good idea to add these to your phone. You may need a key fob or RFID card to operate certain charging stations and prices will vary. Most locations will have a toll free phone number posted on the equipment so you can call and get a guest charge with a credit card.

  The West Coast Electric Highway initiative has ensured that DC fast charging stations are located every 40 to 80 km along Interstate 5, Hwy 99, and other major roadways in B.C., Washington, Oregon, and California. Each location also includes Level 2 equipment. Many of them are near coffee shops, shopping centres and restaurants.

  Most original sites have CHAdeMo equipment compatible with Japanese cars such as the Nissan Leaf and Kia Soul, and newer sites also include SAE combo/CCS connector, which is compatible with American and European cars such as the BMW i3 and the Chevrolet Bolt, along with the Hyundai Kona. Check to see that the stations you plan to use are compatible with the plug type of your vehicle.

  As you head to the interior of each state, fast charging options can be fewer and farther in between, but many communities offer Level 2 charging.