Hamilton to Cambridge Nissan Leaf Road Trip

What is the point of having an electric car if you don’t have fun with it? This got me thinking about taking a detour out of my regular drive and going somewhere new with the Nissan Leaf. The first part of going anywhere in an EV is to find locations for charging in the area I am visiting.

I noticed that on the PlugShare app two new stations had been added near Cambridge about an hour away from where I am. I was also assured that if these station where not working there were a few more chargers up in Kitchener that I could use. Since I would have enough extra bars to get me to the backup chargers the trip was a go. I am not too familiar with Cambridge and the first charger was nowhere to be found at the location that the GPS had guided me to. I got out of the car and looked around no charger anywhere around this location. I found someone to ask for direction and the he let me know that the street I was looking for was a block away.

I drove over to where I was directed and still could not find the charger. I asked a nice couple if they knew where this might be as we were talking I noticed the spot a bit hidden in the distance with a Volt plugged in. I checked to see if there was any extra plug or wall out let to plug in, but the level 2 charger was the only option and it was taken by the Volt. At least I did find a working charger and I could always return to this spot if I am in the area again. The next closest charger was at the Toyota factory. I pulled into the visitors parking and two Sun Country Highway chargers were free and ready to get provide some juice. I plugged in and added enough electrons to make it to a local restaurant where I would grab a bite to eat and a drink. When I left the restaurant and added Home to the GPS it let me know I would not have enough range to make it. I searched for another charger, but decided to go back to Toyota as I knew the charger worked and it was not in use. It took about an hour to get enough range to get home.

I unplugged a little after midnight and made my way back to Hamilton. I had fun and taking a little road trip without wasting a drop of gasoline is even that much better. As more chargers come online I can see EV drivers going to different communities that they would normally not visit and discovering new places and sites. I will try to make this trip again with the family and make a day of it.