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Family Road Tripping in an EV around the Quinte Area

Family Road Tripping in an EV around the Quinte Area


As the world shifts towards more sustainable transportation options, electric vehicles (EVs) have gained immense popularity for their eco-friendly nature and efficiency. For families embarking on road trips, the Quinte area offers a plethora of exciting adventures to enjoy with your kids. In this guide, we’ll explore the joys of exploring the Quinte area in your EV and offer insights into EV charging options in the area.

An EV Owner’s Guide to Exploring the Quinte Area with Your Kids

Taking a road trip in an electric car may require some additional planning compared to a gasoline-powered car. It’s important to familiarize yourself with the functionality and unique aspects of an electric car before venturing beyond its battery range. Despite this, embarking on an electric car road trip is still an attainable and enjoyable experience.

If you’re planning a family road trip with your EV and going through the Quinte area, it’s essential to plan ahead. Downloading the Flo, Chargepoint, and Plugshare apps will help you easily locate charging stations. Luckily, there are plenty of options in the Belleville and Trenton areas. Check out our guide for the recommended EV charging stations in the Quinte area, perfect for your family adventure.

Understanding EV Charging: Before you set out on your journey, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with EV charging basics. There are the main types of EV chargers available:

  1. Level 1 Chargers: These chargers use a standard 120-volt household electrical outlet. They are the slowest charging option and are best suited for overnight charging at home. Many EVs come with a Level 1 charging cord that can be plugged into a regular wall outlet.
  2. Level 2 Chargers: Found at various public charging stations, Level 2 chargers offer a faster charging rate than Level 1 chargers. They are suitable for recharging your EV during breaks in your road trip adventures.  Many of the public EV charging stations in the Quinte area are Level 2 chargers.
  3. DC Fast Chargers (Level 3 Chargers): DC fast chargers are the fastest charging option and are typically found along highways (e.g.  Ivy Charging Network on the ONroute locations in Ontario), gas stations (e.g. Petro Canada) and major travel routes. They provide high-voltage DC power directly to the vehicle’s battery, allowing for rapid charging. DC fast chargers can provide around 100 kilometers or more of range in as little as 20-30 minutes, making them ideal for long-distance travel. Tesla Superchargers are considered DC fast chargers.

It’s important to note that different electric vehicles have different charging capabilities and connectors. Most Level 1 and Level 2 chargers use a standard J1772 connector, while DC fast chargers use connectors like CHAdeMO or CCS (Combined Charging System), depending on the charging network.

Best EV Charging Locations in the Quinte Area for the Family Roadtrip

Belleville, Ontario

The main area for the EVA chargers is around the Hwy 401/Hwy 52 exit near the Quinte Mall. You’ll find Level 2 and Level 3 chargers at the Canadian Tire parking lot and a bank of Tesla Superchargers nearby.  Things to do in this area:

 

Prince Edward County

At this time of writing, the Level 3 EV charger in Picton is out of service, and there is only one Level 2 charger at the Sandbanks Provincial Park office.

  • Check out the sand dunes at Sandbanks Provincial Park

Batawa, Ontario

Level 2 charging station at the Batawa Community Centre parking

  • Go downhill skiing or mountain biking in Batawa Ski Hill (about 750m away)

Trenton, Ontario

There are several areas to charge your EV vehicle in the Trenton area.

Hwy 401 and Glen Miller Exit: Level 2 charger (at the YMCA parking lot) and Tesla Superchargers

  • This area has seen a lot of food options opening in the past few years, including a Starbucks, Burger Revolution, Wing’n IT and BeaverTails. Down the street on Sidney St is Momma’s Diner, a local diner with a wide range of food options for the entire family.

Level 3 Chargers in the McCurdy Chevrolet Buick

  • In the summer, you can walk to Lock #1 on the Trent Severn Waterway and check out the boats going the canal. You can also go for a walk along the Trenton Greenbelt Conversation Area

Level 2 Chargers in the Quinte West Parking Lot (111 Front St. and 106 Front St)

  • Visit the Front Street Farmer’s Market every Wednesday and Saturday from 8 am – 1p from May to October
  • Grabe a bite to eat at some of the local restaurants including Tiger Chicken & Ribs, Tomasso’s Italian Grille, The Counter Restaurant, Thai Sushi, and a local coffee shop called The Grind and Vine.
  • Check out the shops downtown on Dundas St.

Level 2 Chargers in the City Hall Parking Lot

  • Visit the Quinte West Public Library
  • Go for a walk along the Millenium Trail
  • All the restaurants and downtown shops above are also easily accessible from the charging startion

Level 2 Chargers at Centennial Park

EV Charging Etiquette Tips

When it comes to EV charging etiquette, there are certain things to keep in mind to ensure a smooth charging experience for everyone. It’s important to be respectful of other EV drivers and share the charging station when needed. Always be mindful of time and don’t leave your car parked in the charging spot longer than necessary. If you are planning on stepping away from your EV while it is charging, you could consider leaving a note saying when you’re planning to be back to give the next driver an idea of how long to wait.  If you happen to arrive at a charging spot that’s occupied, don’t unplug another driver’s vehicle.

As EV adoption continues to grow, the charging infrastructure in the Quinte area is expected to expand to accommodate the needs of electric vehicle owners. Families with electric vehicles can look forward to even more accessible and exciting road trip possibilities where you can explore new places and spark sustainable curiosity with your kids by your side.