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EV ACROSS CANADA
I have embarked on an adventure packed 8000km+ road trip across Canada from Newfoundland to British Columbia using an electric vehicle to propel across the country’s beautiful landscapes. I have been passionate about sustainable travel and leaving a "no footprint policy!" to help people transition to a more eco-conscious mindset when it comes to travel and adventure.
Along this incredible road trip across Canada I have highlighted the importance of having a more sustainable transport infrastructure. I have also participated in activities with companies and brands that make sustainability their core values. This adventure will encompass, stand up paddle boarding, hiking and much more. This is a proof of concept to how we can all contribute to living a more sustainable life without feeling limited with what we can do. |
PREPPING What do you get when you mix an electric car, the Canadian landscape, and an unquenchable thirst for adventure? And EV trip across Canada? Or at least, that’s how I saw it. No stranger to adventure, my trips typically see me paddling against the wake of the raging Atlantic Ocean, or else fending off the heat and dust of the desert. True, my journeys always had me battling the wrath of the elements. Yet the Canadian landscape had been calling me for some time since I rode my bicycle across Canada in 2019. And an electric car seemed the best way to traverse it this time.
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As I knew well, adventures don’t necessarily start on step one of the footpaths but rather some months before, during the planning stage. I knew that an electric car would be the best way to make it through Canada, but with rough terrain and harsh weather ahead I knew I’d be needing a vehicle that would be up for the challenge. That’s where INKAS design came in. Though they typically specialized in armored vehicles, I was looking for something a bit less bullet proof and a bit more weatherproof. They wrapped my Tesla Model Y in PPF (Paint protective film) and a ceramic coating, two materials that worked to self-heal any nicks or scratches the car would most certainly accrue along the way. Plus, they added on some decal work, decking the car out in their brand logo and mine, making something that wouldn’t just traverse the Canadian landscape, but shine on it.
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DAY 1 From there, it was up to me to grab the essentials. No stranger to the trials of nature, I knew I’d need to be bringing some reliable equipment. Things like a rooftop box, inflatable sleeping pad, a smartphone holder and a cooler, all items essential to my success on the road.
Packed and ready to go, I climbed into my Tesla Model Y and prepared to get going. The road ahead was eager and waiting, and just beyond that, my destination: The Protect our Winters Event at Gambier Island. Here was an opportunity for athletes to get together and learn about climate change, an opportunity I refused to miss out on. So, with my foot on the gas, and my destination in mind, I set out into Canada.
The day was August 25th when I made that initial trek from Toronto to Montreal. Long hours on the road gave me that first spark of excitement as I realized it was the longest, I’d ever driven a car before. It served as a reminder that even the most seasoned of explores could still find new experiences, and that a road trip could be done by anyone, novice or expert. At the day’s end I wound up in a hostel in Montreal. It was an exciting location, but not a new one as I’d visited that exact spot during my 2019 bike tour across Canada. It filled me with lots of good memories of that old journey. And excitement too, for what surprises I had in store for this new one.
Packed and ready to go, I climbed into my Tesla Model Y and prepared to get going. The road ahead was eager and waiting, and just beyond that, my destination: The Protect our Winters Event at Gambier Island. Here was an opportunity for athletes to get together and learn about climate change, an opportunity I refused to miss out on. So, with my foot on the gas, and my destination in mind, I set out into Canada.
The day was August 25th when I made that initial trek from Toronto to Montreal. Long hours on the road gave me that first spark of excitement as I realized it was the longest, I’d ever driven a car before. It served as a reminder that even the most seasoned of explores could still find new experiences, and that a road trip could be done by anyone, novice or expert. At the day’s end I wound up in a hostel in Montreal. It was an exciting location, but not a new one as I’d visited that exact spot during my 2019 bike tour across Canada. It filled me with lots of good memories of that old journey. And excitement too, for what surprises I had in store for this new one.
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A sagging grey sky and heavy rain greeted me as I prepared to make the next part of the journey from Ontario to Quebec. As the water beat down against my windshield I enjoyed the sights of the passing landscape. These long hours behind the wheel gave me ample opportunity to learn about my Tesla Model Y, and all the capabilities the car had to offer. With the supercharge capabilities I was able to power up my vehicle using the available charging stations, but the steep prices meant I had to be wise about when and how often I chose to power up my car. Even still, it was smooth sailing –or smooth driving—into Quebec where I picked up my cargo box and stayed the night at the SaintLo Montreal Hostel.
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But the journey was not without its perils. The next day I found myself enveloped in a blanket like fog, so thick I couldn’t see more than 30 meters ahead. Uncertain roads tied a knot of anxiety in my stomach, yet I remembered a time I found himself in a similar situation, biking through mist as I made my first trip across Canada. Feeling determined I forged ahead, eventually making it to the ferry. But things were far from smooth sailing. The car’s battery was emptying fast and so I was met with a choice: charge the car, and wait until the next day to catch the ferry, or forge ahead. The right choice wasn’t a clear one. But as adrenalin coursed through me, I put my foot to the pedal. By the time I’d made it to the ferry the car was drained, and the boat was raring to go. As the land got smaller in the distance, I could finally take a steady breath. It would be a 17 hour sail to the Southern part of Newfoundland. Now all I had to do was sit back and enjoy the ride.
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DAY 3 From there it was onto New Brunswick. As the time zones changed so did the landscape, unfolding into stunning greenery that welcomed me as I went to unpack for the night. Sleep came easy as I drifted off in my Tesla, and the next morning I was raring and ready to go, onto the next campsite. This time it wasn’t just the beautiful landscape that greeted me. As I built my campfire I found myself quite the center of attention as strangers would approach and ask about my car. These questions were ones I was more than happy to answer as I explained the Tesla’s capabilities, its charging stations, and the reason for my journey ahead. Warmed by the fire and the company of new acquaintances, I fell asleep, ready for what the next day had in store.
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Back on shore in Placencia I rushed to get his car to a charging station. Great as the Tesla was, it wasn’t going anywhere without power and so finding a station was imperative to the success of the journey. Luckily I found an RV campsite 2km from the Ferry and so, as my car charged up at one of the RV outlets, I was able to do some exploring, breathing in the crisp sea air, and taking in the rolling waters of the west coast. It’s true that not all adventures go as planned, but this detour was certainly a happy one as I got to explore the hiking trails and explore the landscape. A mix of past and present, World War Two bunkers fused with the stark green hills, bits of graffiti marking the walls. It was certainly a good sight to see, one that filled me with excitement for where my adventures may lead me next.
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Before hitting the road next, I decided to do some hiking up the signal hills. There at the top, I was met with the sight of the harbor. The expansive blue sea made me ready to start the next leg of my journey, where I’d be taking his car to Terra Nova Park. But this next stop wasn’t exactly a leisurely one. I chose this spot because the park provided superchargers, and my car was in desperate need of a charge. The frantic search for chargers had certainly slowed me down a bit, but that didn’t mean I was going to throw in the towel. Just the opposite actually. With the Tesla taken care of I was able to explore the harbor on paddleboard. This was my first time traversing the north Atlantic Ocean, and certainly not an experience to be forgotten. The air was thick with the cries of gulls, the waters crisp and blue, a perfect respite from so much time on the road.
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DAY 6 A friend’s wedding brought me to Ontario for a quick detour. The roads were winding and perilous, with risks of animal encounters. I pushed the Tesla to its limit as I went off road in search of a campsite. The car accrued a few bumps and scratches and plenty of mud to show. But spirits were high as I went on to Quebec.
The landscape flattened into prairieland, farms unfolding around the Tesla. The warm yellows of the fields provided nice contrast from the greenery of the hills, making for a rather peaceful voyage as I got closer to my destination. Driving had become much easier now. There was an abundance of superchargers on the road, so all I had to do was focus on driving. My journey was scored by country music as I made his way to Alberta. The differences from Ontario were stark, the people chattier, more willing to sit down and have a full conversation. As I made my way from RV campsite to campsite, I had a lot of great talks with folks who were interested in my voyage. Explaining why I’d gone on this journey, and the sights I’d seen made me even more excited for the destination ahead. POW was just within reach. |
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DAY 17 But now was not the time to get complacent. As I made my way through Banff, I noticed a thick smog begin to descend around the car. The sights of the mountains were obscured by a thick white fog that coated the car, and reduced visibility. Up ahead I could see helicopters dotting the sky, their blades circling in the air. There had been a lot of fires, some of them visible as I passed by, seeing the way the red orange flames licked at the landscape. Luckily they were far enough away, and the car made it through unscathed.
With the adrenalin pumping I knew there was no time to stop and relax. I made quick work covering the distance from British Colombia to Vancouver island, but even in my haste I couldn’t help but admire the view of the clear roads, and the fresh Canadian air. On September 12th I pulled into Vancouver, leaving my trusty Tesla behind as I took a private boat to the much-anticipated Gambier Island. It was there I attended the POW event, revelling in the chance to meet other athletes and learn about climate change. |
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DAY 24 Still feeling the thrill of the event, I reunited with my Tesla back on the mainland and prepared to make the final leg of my voyage all the way to Vancouver. Fighting against the flow of traffic and the threat of a fast-dying battery, I pulled into Vancouver International Airport with no charge left to spare. After plugging the car into one of the available super chargers, I reunited with my brother. It was a happy reunion for us and spirits were high. This was my brother’s first time on the west coast and the sight of the sprawling mountains and stunning greenery certainly didn’t disappoint. The roads to Tofino seemed clear but the journey wasn’t about to end without at least one more surprise. A deer running out into the road caused quite the fright but I was able to swerve, narrowly avoiding the wide eyed animal who stared down the Tesla a bit before escaping into the woods. My brother and I laughed the whole way to Tofino where we ended our trip at a campsite called Surf Grove. And thus marked the end of my EV journey across Canada.
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Epic Shot from the journey
THE ROUTETotal distance - 8410 km
Duration - 40 Days Route -Starting in St John’s Newfoundland along the TransCanada Highway to Victoria British Columbia |
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THE CHALLENGEWith climate crisis becoming more and more of a reality to all of us, it is quite clear that the step forward is in renewable and sustainable energy. Transport contributes over 20% of carbon emissions, 60% of that being personal travel. There are also different types of pollution, noise being another factor. With electric vehicles, two of those contributing factors to climate change can be mitigated (noise/fossil fuels) provided that the energy sector runs oon sustainable resources.
Lets take action and encourage more people to transition to a more eco-conscious approach to travel and adventure. Our time to do it is NOW! |
