Traveling Across Canada in an EV: How to Plan Your Trip with Rented Chargers
Canada was built for road trips. From the rugged coastlines of Nova Scotia to the sweeping Rockies of Alberta, to the dramatic North Shore Mountains overlooking Vancouver in BC, the Trans-Canada Highway invites you to pack the car, roll down the windows, and follow the road to the sunset. But if you're an electric vehicle (EV) driver, there's one extra layer of planning to think about. Charging.
Unlike a gas station, you can't always assume there will be a fast charger at the next exit. And while Canada is investing heavily in public charging infrastructure, there are still gaps. Especially if you're venturing beyond the major cities. That's where rented chargers, and apps like RoadtoEV, change the game. They give EV drivers more flexibility, less stress, and the confidence to take longer trips without the nagging fear of "what if I run out of juice in the middle of nowhere?"
Let's break down how to plan a Canadian road trip in your EV, using RoadtoEV as part of your travel toolkit.
The Challenge: Range Anxiety not Motion Sickness
Even though newer EVs boast ranges over 500 kms, long-distance driving across Canada has plenty of speed bumps. Charging networks are densest around big cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. But once you hit rural or suburban stretches, like northern Ontario, the Prairies, or stretches of the Maritimes, chargers are as rare as a bigfoot sighting.
This reality is definitely a driver of range anxiety. And it's not just about running out of power, sometimes the nearest public charger might be out of service, busy with a long line of cars, or tucked away in an inconvenient location like the back of a mall parking lot. Not exactly how you want to spend your vacation.
This is where RoadtoEV or the idea of peer-to-peer charging becomes a lifesaver.
Tell me more about RoadtoEV.
The concept is simple. Homeowners with Level 2 chargers can list them for rent on an app like RoadtoEV. Instead of hunting for the nearest public charging station, you can book time at someone's driveway or garage along your route.
Think of it as borrowing a neighbor's driveway. Except your neighbor could be a farmer in Saskatchewan, a B&B host in Quebec, or a suburban homeowner in Alberta.
These chargers are fast enough that while you're resting, eating, or exploring a local town, your EV is getting the charge boost it needs. It's a practical, human-scale solution that fills in the gaps left by traditional infrastructure.
Look to join RoadtoEV's BETA program today.
Will It Actually Make Road Trips Easier?
Absolutely!! Here's why:
More Coverage Across Canada
Public fast-charging EV networks are expanding. But they can't cover every corner of our large country. By tapping into home chargers, the network suddenly becomes much more robust, with fewer gaps, giving you options in places that previously didn't have any.
Reduced Wait Times
Public chargers can have long lines. And during peak holiday weekends or summer months, even longer. With rented chargers, you can simply find a spot that's vacant or book a slot in advance and know they're waiting for you.
Local Hospitality
Instead of idling at a highway rest stop, you might be parked in someone's driveway overlooking scenic mountain ranges or golden fields or luscious coniferous forests. You could also be just a short walk from a coffee shop, or right next to a trailhead waiting to be explored as your car charges. It makes charging feel less like a chore and more like an adventure.
Peace of Mind
Nothing kills road trip vibes faster than staring at your battery gauge looking at it dip lower. And lower. Now, knowing you can relatively easily find a charger or have the options of pre-booking chargers along the way means you can relax and enjoy the ride.
Planning Your Canadian EV Road Trip with RoadtoEV
Here's how to make RoadtoEV part of your trip planning:
1. Map Your Route First
Decide your main route. For example, the Trans-Canada Highway is the obvious spine of most cross-country trips. But you might also want to try the scenic local highways, or take detours through national parks or smaller towns.
2. Identify Public Chargers
Check where the main fast chargers are. RoadtoEV lists public charger and can show you the current networks.
3. Fill the Gaps with Rented Chargers
After step 2, the gaps will become obvious. Large stretches of 200–300 kms with few or no charging options. Here's RoadtoEV raison d'etre. Search for homeowners who've listed chargers along or near your route. You can pre-book time slots just like you'd book accommodations, or you can feel assured knowing these are available on your trip.
4. Build Charging into Your Itinerary
Charging doesn't have to mean waiting around wasting time. You can charge while you're trying out local cuisine, visiting a small-town attraction, or stretching your legs on a short hike. With RoadtoEV, you're more likely to find spots integrated into real communities rather than sterile highway charging locations.
How to plan your cross-Canadian road trip.
Let's imagine you're driving from Montreal to Halifax. That's nearly 1,500 kms of Canadian beauty. Or from Toronto to Calgary, passing through over 3400 kms of gorgeous landscapes. If you're in an EV there might be plenty of opportunities for charging headaches if you don't plan ahead.
But with RoadtoEV, driving through the various provinces becomes a breeze. You can use a mix of public chargers along the Trans Canada Highways and rented chargers in smaller communities along the highway. This ensures you don't get stuck if public chargers are busy.
You can also visit smaller towns along the journey, and while your car charges in a neighbor's driveway or garage, you can savor the local cuisine or explore the sights.
And once you've reached your destination, you can continue to charge your vehicle at any of the driveways close to your B&B or any coffee shops, tourist attractions and more.
Having a hybrid plan of public chargers for speed, rented chargers for reliability, you're covered every step of the way.
Join RoadtoEV's BETA program and plan your cross country trip with ease.
The Bigger Picture: Building a Community-Powered Network
Every rented charger used on a trip is more than just a charge point, it's part of a larger community-based ecosystem. When homeowners open their chargers to travelers, they're not only earning extra income, but they're helping knit together a practical solution for the future of EV travel in Canada. They are part of the solution they've always hoped for. They are literally their own dream.
For EV drivers, it means travel freedom. For Canada, it means faster adoption of electric vehicles without waiting for billions of dollars of new infrastructure to be built.
The Road More Travelled
Traveling across Canada in an EV used to feel daunting. Not anymore. Earlier there were pertinent questions, "where would you charge in the stretches between major cities?" or "How much time would it add to your journey?"
Now, rented chargers, made accessible through RoadtoEV, change that equation. They add flexibility, reliability, and a sense of community to long-distance EV travel. With the right mix of public infrastructure and community-powered solutions, the dream of driving coast-to-coast in an electric vehicle is not just possible, it's fun.
So, go ahead. Plan that bucket-list cross-Canada road trip. The highways are calling, and now your EV has the backup it needs to take you the distance.
Register for the RoadToEV BETA program here.
For businesses looking to partner with RoadToEV app contact marketing@RoadtoEV.com