Electric Vehicles

Driving and Charging Stations

Driving Range of Electric Vehicles

Everyday Driving

The typical daily driving distance for Canadians averages around 40 kilometers. In the case of electric vehicles, the range on a single charge can vary depending on the specific vehicle, road conditions, and driving habits, with some EVs capable of covering up to 450 kilometers on a single charge. While the majority of charging takes place at home, it’s worth noting that the electric vehicle charging infrastructure is both extensive and continually expanding to accommodate on-the-go charging needs.

Trips and Long Drives

Today, it’s possible to drive coast-to-coast across Canada in an electric vehicle. There are many apps and websites that make it easy to find charging stations near you.

Visit PlugShare Visit ChargeHub

PLANNING AHEAD WHEN PURCHASING

The charging infrastructure in Canada has the potential for expansion, so if you plan to drive very long distances, or don’t have access to at-home charging, your best choice is an extended-range EV, plug-in-hybrid or hybrid. You also have an option to purchase a fully electric vehicle and rent a gas-powered model for long trips, vacations, or transporting bulky items.

Extreme Weather Conditions

Severe weather conditions can significantly deplete a vehicle’s battery capacity at a faster rate. Empirical testing conducted in Canada by CAA-Québec revealed that when temperatures plummet below -15°C, the driving range can diminish by up to 40%.

Further examinations conducted in Norway demonstrated that electric vehicles, when exposed to cold conditions, experienced an average reduction of 18.5% in their advertised driving range. Nevertheless, there are strategies to mitigate these efficiency losses. Certain vehicle models are equipped with applications that allow cabin pre-heating while the car is connected to a power source, drawing energy from the grid rather than depleting the battery.

Public Charging Stations

There are over 5,000 electric vehicle charging stations in Canada.

  • Charge only when necessary

    Unless you require a recharge to reach your intended destination, kindly vacate the charging spot to make it available for another electric vehicle driver who relies on it to complete their journey.

  • Don’t unplug someone else’s vehicle

    Never unplug another electric vehicle unless you’ve received permission from the owner.

  • Check-in

    As you begin charging, “Check in” on the charging network’s mobile app (if available) to let others know that the station is in use.

  • Be safe

    Route the cord from the station to your car such that it lays flat on the ground and is not a trip-hazard. Wind the cord neatly on its holder before you leave.

Across Canada, the public charging infrastructure includes more than 5,000 stations. More are being added every year. Follow these links to find a station near you.

At present, drivers need to use several membership accounts to have full access to the various charging station networks in Canada. This means that drivers need multiple membership accounts to access some public charging stations.

EV charging network companies across the globe have recognized this as a problem and are coming together to improve the driver experience and make it more seamless to drive electric.

Much like using your bank card at ATMs across the globe, driver roaming will allow you to use one network membership to find, start, and pay for a charge at any partnering station.

Roaming is available in Canada through some companies like ChargePoint, Electric Circuit, and Flo EV.

Charging at Home

Most of the charging will be done from the convenience of your home – according to CAA’s survey of more than 16,000 EV owners, more than 70% of charging is done from home.

When to charge

In many provinces, the optimal period for charging your electric vehicle is during the night when electricity rates are lower. Certain provinces implement “peak pricing,” which can make daytime charging more costly. However, for the typical EV owner, nighttime charging remains the most convenient and cost-effective choice.

Hardware

Every electric vehicle comes equipped with a portable cord-set, enabling charging through a standard household outlet. Although this method offers the slowest charging speed, it eliminates the need for any additional home equipment installation.

There are two main types of EV chargers, alternating current (AC) chargers and direct current (DC) chargers, also known as fast chargers.

LEVEL 1 CHARGER

Included with your electric vehicle purchase, Level 1 chargers offer the slowest charging option among the three. They provide up to 8 kilometers of range per hour of charging time and can be plugged into a standard 120 V wall outlet. Due to their accessibility and convenience, Level 1 chargers are typically utilized at home.

LEVEL 2 CHARGER

The Level 2 charger, a quicker charging option, offers up to 97 kilometers of range per hour, depending on the vehicle type. It serves as an excellent choice for a swifter and more versatile home charging solution. However, Level 2 chargers necessitate a 208 or 240 V wall outlet and typically require the services of an electrician for installation. Some provinces provide incentives and rebates for the purchase and installation of in-home charging systems.

LEVEL 3 CHARGER

Direct Current (DC) chargers offer the swiftest charging times but are less common in residential settings. They are typically located at public places and businesses, providing the capability to charge an electric vehicle in as little as 20 to 30 minutes.

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