British Columbia is an amazing province to explore and with the rise in popularity of electric vehicles, taking your electric vehicle out for a road trip is the perfect way to spend a weekend or even an entire week! Read along as we answer some top questions regarding road tripping in an electric vehicle, and then we’ll share our favourite BC road trips for electric vehicles!
How much will it cost to charge up across the province?
There are two common misconceptions when it comes to charging up electric vehicles. One misconception is the length of time it takes to charge and the other is how much it costs. Many think that charging up electric vehicles takes hours, and that if you do go for a road trip you will wind up spending most of your vacation sitting at charging stations, waiting for the electricity you need to get moving again! In reality, to go from a 30% charge to an 80% charge using a fast-charging station, even on just a 25kW charging station, will only take about an hour. If you happen to charge up at a faster charging station, with a 100 kW rate, you’re looking at half that time. Similarly to how most smartphone batteries work; to fully charge up to 100% battery, it will take a bit longer due to the “fast charge” that gets you up to 80% and the “trickle charge” that gets you the rest of the way to 100%.
If you search out BCHydro charging stations specifically you can know ahead of time what the cost of charging will come out to:
- 12.07 cents per minute for 25 kW charging (+5% GST)
- 21.13 cents per minute for 50 kW charging (+5% GST)
- 27.17 cents per minute for 100 kW charging (+5% GST)
The rate for other charging stations will vary across the province, but come out to an average of $15/hr. You can also opt for free-to-use charging stations that provide a slower charge. These are often found in places where you would spend a half day or settle in for an overnight stay.
How far can you go in an electric vehicle?
The second misconception that we’re tackling today is that you cannot go very far with an electric vehicle! When GM’s EV1, the first mass-produced electric vehicle, hit the road in 1996 it went an astounding 89km on one charge. In today’s car-dependent world, that would barely be enough for commuters on their daily drive! However, when we look at the last thirty years of history, electric vehicles have only gotten better with their mileage. In 2010 the Nissan Leaf was first introduced and it was able to go 160km on one charge! Much better than the EV1 of the late nineties but still not good enough to satisfy most drivers that didn’t want to be caught with a low battery, especially when charging stations were still few and far between.
Fast forward to the 2022 model of the Nissan Leaf which now has a range of almost 240km. When you also factor in that charging stations are scattered all over the province and country, 240km is more than enough for anyone commuting or planning to take a road trip. Just like with fuel stations, you just need to make sure that you’ll encounter a charging station along the way.
Where should you take a road trip in an electric vehicle?
Now that we’ve settled some of the hesitations that drivers may have in regards to electric vehicles, let’s take a look at some great BC road trips to take where you’ll be able to enjoy the province and charge up along the way! All of our recommended trips will end with a charging station, so you can make sure to charge up before you hit the road and come back home.
Vancouver to Boston Bar
Starting from the Lower Mainland the trip to Boston Bar is a mere three-hour drive away but, you know what they say, half the fun is getting there! Take this opportunity to stop at some sights close to home before you head north up highway one. During the summer, Bear Creek Park in Surrey is a must-see; filled with hiking trails and walking paths, a miniature train and mini-golf, and an outdoor pool! Once you’ve had your fill of sunshine jump back in the car and continue east to Chilliwack where you can make a quick stop at Sparkes Corn Barn for a sweet treat. Once you get through Chilliwack start heading north, but make a quick stop at the Yale Historic Site before you get too far! Jump back in time to enjoy the gold rush, heritage houses, and see what life was like in the 1800’s. As you leave and continue to head north it’s just a short 30 minute drive to Boston Bar where you can pull over and plug in at Canyon Lanes. You can hit up the lanes, but Canyon also has pool tables and air hockey. If you'd rather sit down for a bite, or stay for a night, the Old Towne Inne Chuckwagon Bar & Grill is close-by!
Vancouver to Kamloops
Kamloops takes a bit longer to get to than Boston Bar, with a four-hour one way drive, but it’s a beautiful drive through the Fraser Valley and Okanagan! Not long after you’ve started you’ll come across Fort Langley which is well-known for its historic sites across the city. Visit Fort Langley National Historic Site, the Langley Centennial Museum, and the BC Farm Museum to get your fill of history and fun! As you head east along Highway 1 the Owl Street Cafe in Hope makes the perfect place, with their outdoor seating, to stop for a bite to eat, a cool drink, and some time spent soaking in the sun! With just under an hour left of the drive you’ll find yourself in Merritt, where there is no shortage of gorgeous lakes to enjoy like Harmon Lake and Nicola Lake. When you’ve made it to Kamloops itself, find your way to the Kamloops Visitor Centre where they have charging stations, picnic tables, an off-leash dog area, and gift shop! If you’re in need of some sustinentence before getting back on the road, there is no end to the dining options available close by, since the Visitor Centre is in the heart of town.
Vancouver to Tofino
A trip out to Tofino is an all-day affair, but well worth it! All the charging stations in Tofino offer slower-charges, but that just means that you’ll have the opportunity to spend a night on this beautiful coast. Before you leave the Lower Mainland take the opportunity to stop in Stanley Park where there is no shortage of things to do and see! Stanley Park is home to beaches, lakes, a mini-railway, aquarium, and some real and replica totem poles from remote areas of BC. Once you’ve finished in Stanley Park, head north to Horseshoe Bay and board a ferry to cross the Strait of Georgia over to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. As you head east across the island, it will only be an hour before you come across MacMillian Provincial Park, which is full of old-growth trees and immersive walking trails and should not be missed! There are plenty of things to do as you travel the last 30 minute stretch of road to Tofino, with endless beaches and stunning forests to explore including the Wickaninnish Beach and Rainforest Trail. Once you’ve arrived in Tofino the Ocean Village Resort has a charging station, alongside some of the cutest cabins and gorgeous views that you’ll find on the island!
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Since electric vehicles have increased their limitations over the last three decades, they are becoming a better option for hitting the open road and exploring everything our province has to offer! With charging stations now scattered throughout BC, the only thing stopping you from road tripping with an electric vehicle is the question - where should you go!