A Canadian L3 charging experience

[Paul K]

Canada has roughly the same land mass as the US but 1/10th the population so it's more challenging to install L3s profitably. It's a long week end here in Canada and Friday I was returning home from a long work run. First place I stopped at on the way back had two chargers both occupied. 401 had slowed to a crawl so I went old highway and found a second site with 4 chargers. Not only occupied but people waiting.

Finally found a working Ivy Charging unit at one of the 401 enroute sites. There were 4 spots being almost continuously ICEd as the parking lot was near full. This included a Tesla and Hyundai hybrid owners who parked without charging! Folks, these are charging spots not parking spots. If I was built like Hulk Hogan I might have suggested they park at a gas pump and see how that goes.

On a more humorous note a monstrous brand new Cadillac Escalade pulled in. The guy (very nice) didn't even know how to activate a charger. I helped him through the process. Turns out his wife works for a Cadillac dealer and they had the use of the vehicle to go from Toronto to Montreal. He pulled in with 75% battery and was already experiencing "range anxiety" !!! It's hard to believe that some people will set out with an EV with absolutely no knowledge as to how the process works.

 

[bwilson4web]

What City is near you? I got my passport the next day mail after a recent trip to Michigan and want to see parts of Canada again. I like visit EV folks and share a cuppa coffee or break bread.

Bob Wilson

 

[Paul K]

What City is near you? I got my passport the next day mail after a recent trip to Michigan and want to see parts of Canada again. I like visit EV folks and share a cuppa coffee or break bread.

Bob Wilson

I live in Kingston Ontario. Roughly half way between Toronto and Montreal. Lots of tourist traps here like Fort Henry which was built to defend the territory from an American invasion. Hope we don't have to use it for that purpose again! As you're a Tesla owner you won't have to worry about charging. There's a site right here in town which like most Tesla sites I've seen is way over built for the current (pun) level of demand but bodes well for future adoption rates.

 

[bwilson4web]

Which would be better for a visit:

• August 10-11 (Sun, Mon)
• August 17-18 (Sun, Mon)

Motel rates typically drop on Sunday and stay low through Thursday so there is flexibility there. I also want to stop by Mountain Pass Performance for a short chat and later return via a short visit with my brother in Connecticut. I don't know his schedule, yet.

Anything interesting in late August towards Quebec? I would like to see the sights I remember from my teenage years. Heck, I've even got a favorite cousin in Maine who needs visiting while we're both this side of the grass.

Bob Wilson

 

[Paul K]

Which would be better for a visit:

• August 10-11 (Sun, Mon)
• August 17-18 (Sun, Mon)

Motel rates typically drop on Sunday and stay low through Thursday so there is flexibility there. I also want to stop by Mountain Pass Performance for a short chat and later return via a short visit with my brother in Connecticut. I don't know his schedule, yet.

Anything interesting in late August towards Quebec? I would like to see the sights I remember from my teenage years. Heck, I've even got a favorite cousin in Maine who needs visiting while we're both this side of the grass.

Bob Wilson

Although 73 years young I'm still self employed and working. A piano tech by trade. August can be a little crammed as I service Queen's University and all the "fleet" has to be readied for the first semester. August is when I do my extended service procedures as well. If you're passing through Aug 17 is the best bet. That being said Kingston is out of the way for your intended travels but I think you just enjoy the trip. So maybe we can cross paths.

 

[bwilson4web]

Aug 17 works for me.

Bob Wilson