CAA test finds that EVs can handle road trips, but public charging is integral

CAA tested 22 electric vehicles (EVs) on a 365-kilometre road trip. Every vehicle—including the model with the shortest range—completed the route without needing to charge. A separate public charging test showed why the charging experience still matters on longer trips. 

HALIFAX, N.S. — A road test of 22 EVs found they had enough range for a typical leg of a long trip, but public charging differences can still affect travel time, cost and the overall experience.
 

“This was not the typical daily-driving scenario, where an EV is charged at home,” says Kurt Sampson, EV expert at CAA Atlantic. “We tested a several-hundred-kilometre weekend getaway, bookended by my drive of several thousand kilometres from Atlantic Canada to the GTA and back.” 
 

All 22 EVs taking part in the CAA EV Circuit completed the 365-kilometre route without needing to charge.
 

“One pleasant surprise was that even the lowest-range EV in our test could have completed the entire trip without charging,” says Sampson. 
 

Although none of the vehicles needed to charge to complete the route, the Circuit included a mandatory 15-minute public fast-charging test.

Public charging worked, but the experience varied
 

During the planned 15-minute public charging session, participating vehicles added an average of 110 kilometres of displayed range—proving even a brief stop can provide a meaningful boost during a longer journey. 
 

Charging speed depends partly on the vehicle and its battery, including the battery’s temperature, age and existing charge level. Charging can also slow when stations are busy or sharing power, and some vehicles need an adapter. 
 

“On the 4,000-kilometre trip to the GTA and back for this event, I was routinely able to add 250 kilometres of range in a 15-minute stop,” says Sampson.
 

EV fast-chargers often share available power. When several vehicles plug in at once, each may charge more slowly.
 

“When a dozen EVs arrived at the 16-charger site at the same time, many received only one-third or one-quarter of the charging rate they could have received if just three or four vehicles were charging,” says Sampson.

 

Public fast-charging can cost about the same as gasoline
 

Public fast-charging costs vary widely. In the Circuit test, adding 100 kilometres of range cost an average of $13.45—about the same as gasoline. EV drivers can usually pay less by charging at home.
 

“Public fast-charging is generally the most expensive way to charge an EV, but it is useful to understand the cost on a long trip,” says Sampson.
 

The most recent CAA EV Driver Survey showed EV drivers charge only 13 per cent of the time at public fast-chargers, with the vast majority of EV charging done on private chargers at home.
 

“Home charging can significantly reduce charging costs for Atlantic Canadians,” says Sampson. CAA Atlantic offers an EV home charger program.
 

On long trips, a reliable and easy-to-use public charging network matters.

 

On long trips, charging matters as much as range
 

“For Canadians planning longer drives, knowing a vehicle’s maximum range is only part of the equation,” says Sampson. “Drivers should also understand their vehicle’s charging capability, compatibility with available charging infrastructure and other conditions that can affect charging time, cost and the overall experience.”
 

Several factors affected how quickly the EVs charged. Some needed adapters or had to park at an angle to reach the charger, while others shared power with as many as three vehicles. EVs with less charge also tended to gain energy faster than those with fuller batteries. The results show that charging speed depends on the vehicle, the charger and how much power is already in the battery.

 

EVs use far less energy than gasoline vehicles
 

“Canadians compare fuel economy when buying a gasoline vehicle. They should also compare energy use and charging speed when choosing an EV,” says Sampson.
 

In the 230-kilometre energy measurement portion of the Circuit, the EVs used the energy equivalent of about two litres of gasoline per 100 kilometres. By comparison, the average Canadian passenger vehicle uses roughly eight to 10 litres per 100 kilometres.
 

Smaller vehicles were the Circuit’s most energy-efficient models. Across vehicle sizes, EVs were also more efficient on city sections than on highways. Greater efficiency can reduce charging time and cost, especially on long trips.
 

A data snapshot of the 2026 EV Circuit is contained in the charts below, with additional information available here: 2026 CAA EV Circuit: Complete Vehicle Findings
 

About the CAA EV Circuit
 

The CAA EV Circuit was held Sept. 16, 2026. Twenty-two EVs travelled the same 365-kilometre route between Blue Mountain and Vaughan, Ont., using city streets, rural roads and highways. The test included a 230-kilometre efficiency section and a mandatory 15-minute public charging stop. CAA collected vehicle data and observations throughout the trip.

 

About CAA 
 

CAA is a federation of eight clubs providing nearly eight million members with exceptional emergency roadside service, complete automotive and travel services, member savings and comprehensive insurance services. As one of Canada’s most trusted brands, CAA also advocates on issues of concern to its members and all Canadians, including road safety, the environment, mobility, infrastructure and consumer protection. 
 

2026 CAA EV Circuit Data Snapshot
 

Lowest energy consumption (kWh/100 km) 

Highest energy consumption (kWh/100 km) 

Most kilometres gained in a 15-minute charging session 

Least kilometres gained in a 15-minute charging session