EV road trip ideas in Québec

Get ready for summer adventures! With over 10,000 charging stations in Québec, it's easier than ever to go on vacation and get around in an electric car. Many hotels now offer charging stations, and Camping Québec is a useful resource for locating campings with charging stations. For those without charging stations, EV drivers have the option of renting a campsite with electricity, bearing in mind that charging will obviously be slower than with a 240V or fast charging station. The Electric Circuit and ChargeHub apps are always useful for finding a charging station on the road.

Here are a few suggested itineraries received from EV drivers and electric car rental enthusiasts.

Shawinigan in 3+ days

A suggestion from Céline Cantin & Michel Gagnon

The city of Shawinigan, North America's first industrial complex, is well known for its hydroelectricity, and is a prime destination for EV drivers: more than 50 Electric Circuit charging stations are located throughout its territory, where city and nature come together.

A great way to kick off your journey is to take Exit 211 off Highway 55 North, where Shawinigan Bay is revealed in all its splendor. Plug-in on Mercier Street downtown, or into one of the Comfort Inn et Suites Hotel charging stations if looking for a place to stay, and explore downtown on foot. The 5e rue de la Pointe offers several cafés, bookstores and boutiques, in addition to the Roulottes Beauparlant, a snack bar that has become a Shawinigan institution. In the evening, soak up the festive atmosphere on Willow Street, enjoy a beer at the Broue Pub Le trou du diable or admire the Saint-Maurice River from one of the many terraces of nearby restaurants.

The region's oldest village, Sainte-Flore, and its neighbor Saint-Jean-des-Piles are also well worth a visit. The countryside is picturesque and the villages quite charming. In Sainte-Flore, whether for breakfast at the Café bucolique or dinner at the popular Le Saint-Antoine restaurant or the renowned Restaurant Zélé, charge your EV on the Electric Circuit station on Riopelle Street. In Saint-Jean-des-Piles, you'll discover a magnificent mountainside village with a breathtaking view of the Saint-Maurice River. You'll find an Electric Circuit charging station near De l'Église Street.

Your thirst for activity will be satisfied in Shawinigan and the surrounding area. The Parc de l'île Melville, for example, offers the opportunity to enjoy the Saint-Maurice River (watercraft rentals, trails). La Mauricie National Park is also a must for outdoor enthusiasts. Why not tour the park along the 63 km of road that winds through it. Charging stations are available in the Rivière-à-la-pêche parking lot.

To learn more about the town's history, take a guided tour of the Cité de l'Énergie and its panoramic tower. In Grand-Mère, the Parc des Papetiers, a tribute to the area's industrial past, runs alongside the Saint-Maurice River. It's a great place to admire what was once Canada's longest suspension bridge. Two charging stations are also available for EV drivers.

Visit Tourisme Shawinigan for more details.

An EV ride along both shores of the St. Lawrence River

A suggestion from Yves Sabourin

With free ferries for EVs, it's worthwhile for EV drivers to plan an itinerary that features both shores of the St. Lawrence River. The Bas-Saint-Laurent region is dotted with pretty little villages that are well worth a visit. In Rivière-du-Loup, Hôtel Lévesque offers its guests two 240V and four Tesla charging stations free of charge. With a Tesla-J1772 adapter, you can use both types of charging station. Rivière-du-Loup is a good base for visiting neighboring towns such as Rimouski, Pointe-au-Père and its Empress of Ireland Museum, where Electric Circuit charging stations are available.

From Rivière-du-Loup, catch the ferry to Saint-Siméon. Take advantage of the village's fast charging station before heading to the mouth of the Saguenay River for a visit to Saguenay Fjord National Park. Alternatively, head south to La Malbaie. Here you'll find the Motel Castel de la Mer, with 2 level 2 charging stations.

Visit Tourisme Bas-Saint-Laurent, Tourisme Charlevoix and Tourisme Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean for more details.

Getaway in the Eastern Townships

A suggestion from suggestion de Blandine Sebileau

For Montrealers, a visit to the Eastern Townships can be the perfect opportunity to test drive an electric vehicle for a weekend, while enjoying the charm of the region's villages and outdoors. Book an electric car easily via a peer-to-peer car rental platform and choose from a wide range of available vehicles.

Head for Frelighsburg and stop for a bite and beer at the Beat et Betterave microbrewery. Old hats and silverware can be found in the antique store Au fil du temps (another branch is located in the charming village of Stanbridge East). You can charge your car in Dunham, taking advantage of the break to sample the delicious products of La rumeur affamée bakery-grocery and pack a picnic lunch for the next day.

The B&B Le Passe-Partout in Cowansville offers free parking and access to the owner's charging station. There are also plenty of charging options in town, with a choice of 15 public charging stations.

The next day, a short hike to Mont Gale in the Bromont region and a picnic at Gale Lake. On the way back, numerous charging facilities are available before entering the A10, particularly in the town of Bromont.

See the Tourisme Cantons-de-l'Est website for more information.