Road Trip - Charlotte, NC to Hamilton, ON

[Gixxer750]

TLDR: This is the best road trip car we've owned to date. Super relaxing to drive and BlueCruise was heavily used. Not a single charger problem along the way. Except in Canada; why doesn't EA work with EC in the same app?! New account needed and everything.

Full story:

We decided to take a road trip up to Canada to visit family for the week. We have had our MME since beginning of February and have done plenty of day trips with some fast charging done along the way. It made us pretty comfortable for using it on a longer run.

We could have done it as a single day run but the 5 year old would have gone bonkers so we split it into two days with a stop in Altoona, PA. We took a more easterly route to avoid the charging desert of WV.

We left Charlotte Thursday morning with 100% and traffic was pretty good. We made it with no problem to our first stop at the EA Baugh Mills, VA Station. We arrived with 19% left and none of the chargers were in use.. There's a nice grass hill next to the chargers so the little guy got his zoomies out and we were charged up to 77% in no time (34 mins).

The next run was from there up to Woodstock, VA at the EA station next to Walmart. Again, an empty set of chargers with all working like it should. We arrived with 35% and let it go up to 80%. We grabbed a bite to eat from close by and ate while charging. It took 30 mins this time but you don't really notice. By the time you use the facilities, have a bite and let the kids run around, you're there.

Our third segment for the day took us up to Bedford, PA. We didn't really need to stop here as we arrived with 36% charge which was plenty to get us to Altoona. I was being conservative just in case we faced issues with the charger at the hotel. So we stopped (at empty chargers again) long enough to pee, charged up to 60% and were on our way.

Last stretch to Altoona got us there with 44% left. I had messaged the hotel the day before (Wingate) and asked if they could block a spot for just in case. And they did! The staff were great, and the hotel is in great shape. It was a SemaConnect charger that only pushed around 3kW but it was great for an overnight stay.

Next day we left with a 100% charge and went up US219 into Buffalo. It's a really nice drive and recommend it. We got into the Cheektowaga EA chargers with 25%. Had a bite, brought it up to 80% and were on our way. Interestingly, the chargers were all taken when we got there. We had to wait about 5 minutes for one to open up. I'm guessing folks wanted to take advantage of the free charge (thank you EA!).

We got into our destination with 51%. All in all, it really was a smooth trip. It is definitely true that you have to plan ahead when doing a trip like this with an EV but it is easily done. A key point is that the 80% drop off wasn't a big deal for us. I actually prefer having the higher rates up to 80% as that is where you charge the most. Plug and charge worked everything and the car charged at the first plug in every time.

Now, if we could get some fast charging in WV, it would be an even simpler trip. Kudos to the Wingate team in Altoona for being so accommodating.

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[Silver Lake]

TLDR: This is the best road trip car we've owned to date. Super relaxing to drive and BlueCruise was heavily used. Not a single charger problem along the way. Except in Canada; why doesn't EA work with EC in the same app?! New account needed and everything.

Full story:

We decided to take a road trip up to Canada to visit family for the week. We have had our MME since beginning of February and have done plenty of day trips with some fast charging done along the way. It made us pretty comfortable for using it on a longer run.

We could have done it as a single day run but the 5 year old would have gone bonkers so we split it into two days with a stop in Altoona, PA. We took a more easterly route to avoid the charging desert of WV.

We left Charlotte Thursday morning with 100% and traffic was pretty good. We made it with no problem to our first stop at the EA Baugh Mills, VA Station. We arrived with 19% left and none of the chargers were in use.. There's a nice grass hill next to the chargers so the little guy got his zoomies out and we were charged up to 77% in no time (34 mins).

The next run was from there up to Woodstock, VA at the EA station next to Walmart. Again, an empty set of chargers with all working like it should. We arrived with 35% and let it go up to 80%. We grabbed a bite to eat from close by and ate while charging. It took 30 mins this time but you don't really notice. By the time you use the facilities, have a bite and let the kids run around, you're there.

Our third segment for the day took us up to Bedford, PA. We didn't really need to stop here as we arrived with 36% charge which was plenty to get us to Altoona. I was being conservative just in case we faced issues with the charger at the hotel. So we stopped (at empty chargers again) long enough to pee, charged up to 60% and were on our way.

Last stretch to Altoona got us there with 44% left. I had messaged the hotel the day before (Wingate) and asked if they could block a spot for just in case. And they did! The staff were great, and the hotel is in great shape. It was a SemaConnect charger that only pushed around 3kW but it was great for an overnight stay.

Next day we left with a 100% charge and went up US219 into Buffalo. It's a really nice drive and recommend it. We got into the Cheektowaga EA chargers with 25%. Had a bite, brought it up to 80% and were on our way. Interestingly, the chargers were all taken when we got there. We had to wait about 5 minutes for one to open up. I'm guessing folks wanted to take advantage of the free charge (thank you EA!).

We got into our destination with 51%. All in all, it really was a smooth trip. It is definitely true that you have to plan ahead when doing a trip like this with an EV but it is easily done. A key point is that the 80% drop off wasn't a big deal for us. I actually prefer having the higher rates up to 80% as that is where you charge the most. Plug and charge worked everything and the car charged at the first plug in every time.

Now, if we could get some fast charging in WV, it would be an even simpler trip. Kudos to the Wingate team in Altoona for being so accommodating.

Good trip report, thanks.

 

[Gixxer750]

You can't head out to a city in the South and not example some astounding BBQ and Midwood Smokehouse is quite possibly of the best spot BBQ joints around. With three areas in Charlotte, you'll have one close by and their staff makes the feasting experience shockingly better. The Brisket Queso is astonishing and you need to attempt the Carolina Pork.

Yeah, man!

We actually live in Charlotte and Midwood is our favorite BBQ spot hands down. The brisket queso can't be beat! We still always head up to the Plaza Midwood location.
Speaking of great food in Midwood, check out Soul Gastrolounge just up the street. Best place for tapas style food.

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