@movernie
In recent weeks, I got a chance to test drive a number of electric vehicles (EVs), so I have learned a lot about how to charge an EV and the different apps, different ways, different charging stations, etc.
I test drove the 2026 Kia EV4 and 2026 Volve EX30 Cross Country.
The 2026 Kia EV4 has a built-in NAC port that is compatible to charge at selective Tesla supercharging station. I also charged the EV4 at the Kia Stouffville dealership which doesn’t have a NAC port but have a DC port, which the media team gave me a DC adapter to charge at DC port. I just simply plug in the DC adapter to the DC port before plugging into the Kia EV4.
As for the Volvo EX30 Cross Country, it doesn’t have a built-in NAC port, which right off the bat, I can’t charge it at a selective Tesla supercharging station. The Volvo EX30 has a CCS port, which is typical for many non-Tesla EVs. I have to download an EV app such as “FLO” in this case and found the nearest FLO charging stations near me. Apparently, there are many FLO charging stations all over the city, however, many have the slow Level 2 stations that are commonly found at people’s homes.
But if you want to find DC ports, it’s not that many yet. Luckily, there is a Shell gas station nearby that offers fast charging DC ports which makes it quicker to charge.
After experiencing all these charging stations, here are my feedback and opinions:
– Unless you have installed a charging port at your home, constantly trying to find a public charging station is not difficult but it does cost me time, effort, anxiety as not all charging stations offer fast charging ports. Many offer the Level 2 which is common at home but when you are at home, you can plug in your EV and then leave it overnight and then you can cook, clean your house and do other things. But when you are using a public charging station, you have to sit in your EV to kill time or go to grocery stores or shopping mall to kill time. I am not a shopper, so finding a mall to shop doesn’t make sense to me.
– I also have to find a charging station that is available coz sometimes, some of these charging stations have 3 or 4 ports and if occupied, you are pretty much screwed. You either have to wait (which could take up to 30 minutes or more depending on how long these pre-occupied EV owners going to charge their EVs). Sometimes, you have to come back at a later time. Although many apps offer to notify you when the EV ports become available, it’s annoying to worry about charging stations. What happens in the future when everyone has a EV, are there enough infrastructure available?
– I found that if you charge your EV at a public charging station, it’s not that cheap. It’s pricier coz I guess if I want to charge it quick with Tesla supercharging station or DC level station, the charging time is shorter but also mean it’s more expensive. For example, it costs me $25 CDN to charge 20% of my Kia EV4 at selective Tesla supercharging station. That’s quite steep in my opinion.
– Now, when I charged the Volvo EX30 from 12% to 80%, it took about 46 minutes of charging time and it costs me about $28 CDN. Sure, it’s much cheaper than filling up $70 full tank of gas, but I value time and effort dearly, so I am not sure sitting around for 45 minutes to 60 minutes is worth my time.
– Not sure why all of these charging port has such short leash, for my Kia EV4, the charging port is on the front right side, I have to park the EV4 over the curb and get as close as I can before the port can plug into my EV4. Another time, there was a port available but since the Volvo EX30 port is at rear left, that port is only good for front right or front left, so no matter how I park or tilt my Volvo EX30, I can’t get close to the port. Meanwhile the other 2 EVs beside me occupied the other 2 charging ports. It sux when a port is open but I can’t charge coz it’s in the wrong side from my EX30.
– I have not done a road trip across Ontario or Canada yet coz I am not sure how robust or lack thereof with the charging stations. If driving a gas engine car takes 5 hours from Toronto to Montreal, I don’t know if I want to spend extra hours in between stops to charge my EV to Montreal. Would it take more than 5 hours with a EV from Toronto to Montreal coz of charging time?
I also think I will have anxiety if I am on a road trip especially in extreme winter trying to find a charging station (unoccupied one too) on a road trip in unfamiliar terriorty.
– Finding a charging port that is relatively safe is something that I wouldn’t have thought about. When I was charging at a charging station located outside a shopping mall that was closed. I was approached by a guy and ask me if I have a lighter coz he wants to smoke his weed. Quite honestly, if I have a gas engine vehicle, I wouldn’t see myself hanging around at a parking spot in the evening and having to deal with such person asking me for a lighter. Coz at a gas station, I will just pump my car and leave in minutes.
Thus, what I learn is that…when charging my EV at an outdoor charging location, a new criteria for me is finding a location that I think it’s safe and I found gas station with charging station is safer than me at a dim parking lot. I did find some of these charging locations are located at weird quiet parking spots that safety could be at risk.
Overall Summary:
I think if someone decides to install a charger at home and don’t plan to charge elsewhere or on a road trip often, then having an EV would make sense as it’s cheaper charging at home and although it takes longer time with a Level 2 port, it’s ok coz you plug it at home and you can get inside the house to work, clean, cook or relax and the next morning, you have a fully charged EV to go to school or work.
But for me, if I don’t plan to have my own charger at home and constantly need to charge at public areas, I am not sure if I want an EV. Moreover, I also don’t know if I want to wait around for a quick charge when I can just simply find a gas station, pump the gas and get out of there without having to wait around. Time is so essential to me.
For the time being, I don’t want to have mileage anxiety, every time I turn on the heat or use up defogger or power, I worry the charge drops quickly especially in extreme cold winters.
MoVernie QUESTION:
To the EV owners out there, could you share your EV experience? What EV do you drive? Do you like it? What are the Pros and Cons? Luv to hear from you.