DCFC in Canada for Americans?

[Maxx]

Do you guys have any tips for traveling to Ontario? I heard American EA app does not work there. In fact can I get away with charging without my phone? Or using any apps? Are some providers worse than others? Do any of you have a personal experience crossing the border with an EV?

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[Heliian]

Charging in Ontario is pretty tough. Stations out of service and stations that are de-rated but still advertised as higher.

Some stations have tap for cards, some are app exclusive. I have 5 apps so far.

Use plugshare and look at the check-ins to plan your route. Always have at least 1 or 2 alternates.

I have had the best success at the "onroute" stations, Ivy I think.

I have never used Electrify Canada.

Some apps have a seperate Canadian version.

Be prepared for possible charging speeds of down to 30kw in some of the more desolate highways.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Walle1jm]

I had mixed results last winter around Toronto and almost exclusively used EA Canada via plug and charge. The beginning of the trip was pretty smooth but not the same on the way home when it was freezing cold and snowy. Chargers were seated, etc.

I also recommend researching via PlugShare and planning for contingencies.

 

[Maxx]

I had mixed results last winter around Toronto and almost exclusively used EA Canada via plug and charge. The beginning of the trip was pretty smooth but not the same on the way home when it was freezing cold and snowy. Chargers were seated, etc.

I also recommend researching via PlugShare and planning for contingencies.

Thanks for sharing. Was there anything different in the way plug and charge worked on EC (Electrify Canada) than it did with EA (Electrocute America)? Did you have to do anything before you left to make it work?

 

[Maxx]

I have had the best success at the "onroute" stations, Ivy I think.

you had to create an account ahead of time on that, and use your phone or card to start a session, right?

 

[Walle1jm]

Thanks for sharing. Was there anything different in the way plug and charge worked on EC (Electrify Canada) than it did with EA (Electrocute America)? Did you have to do anything before you left to make it work?

Nothing at all - plug and charge.

 

[Heliian]

create an account ahead of time on that, and use your phone

Yes, most, if not all, I'd use the app. Last weekend the Petro Canada charger wouldn't work via the app, had to tap CC.

There is one brand that only has an app or a mailed RFID card, maybe that was Ivy or Flo.

Forget about support from any of these companies though. They're terrible and just keep saying "we're looking into it" for months.

 

[Jim657]

I would recommend you download the flo,Ivy, Electrify, Canada,Shell Recharge,Swtch and Charge Point Apps. As someone who lives in Ontario, I can tell you it’s not great. I would also recommend getting a better route planner and using PlugShare look at your route that you’re going to take before you leave and if you see some charging stations along the way, download the app ahead of time that’s what we did before we went to Detroit make sure the Apps work and you can get your credit card signed up. unfortunately, even though a lot of Americans complain about how bad it is we’re not even halfway close to the chargers that the U.S has.

 

[Calvin H-C]

In addition to things others mentioned, charging in Canada is based in time, not energy (kWh). So if the station is slow (could be set that way, or could dynamically change as others start charging), you start paying more for the energy received.

Measurements Canada has only recently changed the regulations to permit charging by the kWh, but it will be sometime before this will be rolled out everywhere.

 

[bellyer]

I just got back from a visit to Toronto. Plug and Charge worked flawlessly with Electrify Canada with my Ford credits and, when I happened d to run out If my credits in the trip, it worked fine charging to my card. I don't use the EA app, just the Blue Oval network in Fordpass. Ivy network was horrible, but worked a little in a pinch.

 

[G-Zeus]

I just made the trip from MA to Mississauga, and then north of Barrie to visit my mom’s cottage. The entire trip through NY and then Ontario was wrought with crap chargers. De-rated speed, or failure to charge. Luckily there were always open stalls to bounce around and get a faster charge. Because of that, the overall trip wasn’t too bad at all, the truck was ready before we were. And it was great to have pre-arranged stops to plan around, versus ICE driving and driving with no real plan, just stopping wherever (and as a result too many stops!)

I bought the $4/month Electrify Canada app, and made sure to do a change in Barrie, the last DCFC that seems to work about 100kw before heading north. Currently using my plug-in charger on a 115V outlet, getting my 10% charge overnight, it’s good enough while I’m at the cottage. At least it’s a long weekend so I can keep it connected all day and night on the lowest price electricity.

But in general, the entire DCFC charging experience on I90 and into Ontario is CRAP. It is unnecessary anxiety having to wonder if the charger will work, or if it will be fast, or if there will be a wait or not. I would not recommend any non tech, non bleeding edge person to buy an EV at the moment if you are wanting to drive beyond your home charger. This winter I’m not sure I will be comfortable taking the truck up to Vermont for skiing… hopefully once we can access the Tesla supercharger network it will be a much better experience. There are TONS of Teslas around Toronto and up north.

I used ABRP app, and bought the ODBC Bluetooth adapter so that the SoC would be sent to the app and then displayed in CarPlay. Pretty nice. I also used PlugShare to check on the different potential chargers, and also always did a check-in followed by any comments good or bad.

Lastly, I turned off Ford plug and charge because I wanted to use the EA and EC lower rates with the paid plan. Why Ford doesn’t support that, I don’t know. You plug in, open the appropriate app, identify the particular charger and then activate. When it works, it’s great. When it doesn’t work or is slow, it sucks. I also leave a comment on the app, letting them know if any stations are not working or if I had speed problems. Then I end my comment with “do better” — I have already been given a free charge, so that’s good…

 

[Maxx]

@Heliian , @Walle1jm, @Jim657 , @Calvin H-C , @bellyer and @G-Zeus I really appreciate you guys taking time to educate me with very helpful info. Thank you.

 

[Calvin H-C]

Yes, most, if not all, I'd use the app. Last weekend the Petro Canada charger wouldn't work via the app, had to tap CC.

Petro Canada is the one app I've never been able to use to start a charge session, but tapping (credit or debit card or on your phone) works fine and costs the same. That said, their app is good for checking if stations are available. PetroCan has become one of the more expensive choices, some as high as $0.50 per minute. If you get benefits on your credit card (points or cash back) for transactions at gas stations, you likely won't for EV charging at PetroCan as the transaction is processed separately from the gas station itself and shows as a different category. Some cards now have an "EV Charging" category, but I don't know if this applies at PetroCan.

There is one brand that only has an app or a mailed RFID card, maybe that was Ivy or Flo.

Ivy and FLO both have app and RFID for starting sessions. FLO charges a ridiculous $20 for the card, so I've never used it and take my chances with having a data connection when needing to charge. I avoid FLO for DCFC as they deliver less energy than others under the same vehicle conditions, plus most installations charge the "recommended" $20 per hour. (ChargePoint also recommends rates, but the location is more likely to charge a lower price than with FLO installations).

FLO is not bad for L2 charging - many installations are either free or $2 per hour. Best to use their app for starting a session as I have seen "free" sites that charge a $1-$3 session fee if using a CC to start.

Ivy changed their system this past year and when they did, they sent out an RFID card to members - bonus: they sent it as a card AND a key fob, so we have one for each vehicle, without having to purchase a "second" card.

 

[Maxx]

Petro Canada is the one app I've never been able to use to start a charge session, but tapping CC works fine and costs the same.

I am sure this is obvious to others but just to make sure, by CC you mean the vendor’s Charge Card? Or Credit Card (visa, Mastercard,…) ?

 

[Calvin H-C]

I am sure this is obvious to others but just to make sure, by CC you mean the vendor’s Charge Card? Or Credit Card (visa, Mastercard,…) ?

Good point - should have been clearer.

I believe anything that can be tapped (don't recall if the stations allow swiping). So VISA, MC, and Interac (which is just Canadian). VISA or MC can be credit or debit.

PetroCan had their own credit card, but it's been years since I've had one, and I suspect they changed over to a PetroCan branded VISA or MC years ago.

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