A good charging stop has not only lots of chargers, but productive means of using the charging time to further your journey. Lets look at some charging stops near Toronto, ON and see how they rate on my ever so subjective 5 star scale. Ideally, I like to see a grocery store, some restaurants and a fast charger all located within an easy walk. This comparison is hardly scientific, but it can give you my dear reader some help in planning your own adventures, in particular if you happen to live near Toronto, ON. As always, I would check plugshare carefully before your trip just to see if there are some maintenance issues.
ONRoute Barrie ★★★
The Onroutes offer an attractive package. A series of fast chargers, small convenience store for light refreshments and an assortment of fast food. Their charging provider Ivy is not the most reliable, it usually works 75% of the time for me, but I would plan on a backup charging location (there is a Petro Can, and a Nissan Dealer nearby), should the Ivy charger be either broken or busy. Further, Ivy has decided to convert some of their Chademo chargers to NACS, which causes some inconvenience to Nissan Leaf drivers such as myself.
Wallmart Bellville ★★★★★
Four Flo cabinets adorn the Wallmart Bellvile, located towards the back of the parking lot (where they are far less likely to be blocked by gas cars (or ICEd in the lingo)). The Flo chargers are my favourite charging network owning to their unmatched reliability (I cant recall them not working). There is grocery shopping, several restaurants and a pet store within easy walking distance, making this charger the ideal stop on your journey into Eastern Ontario and Beyond.
The Big Apple ★★★
If you cant quite make it to Bellivlle, about 50 km before Bellville, is the Big apple, which has complimentary L2 chargers. There is one J-1772, and one NACS station, so I usually bring along my NACS-to-J1772 adapter in case one or the other is busy. During long weekends in the summer, the Big apple is busy, but the food is wonderful, and the pastries awesome, which is plenty of a reason for a stop, even though the charging is a little slow.
Sobeys Gravenhurst ★★★★
Similar to the Wallmart in Bellville, the Sobeys Gravenhurst offers a grocery store, LCBO, several restaurant, and a Canadian Tire within easy walking distance. Its a very well located charger, and permits planning for a one stop journey in my 2018 Nissan Leaf to North Bay. Its three cabinets are well used, and I have had to wait for a spot to open on several occasions. But as all three have Chademo, its usually a short wait.
The Orangeville Courthouse ★★★
A well located charger, which we usually stop at on our way towards the Bruce Peninsula. There is only one fast charger there, but if its not available, there are four L2 chargers which make for a slightly more enjoyable dinner. There is a grocery store, Beer store, and several restaurants within walking distance, plus some green space if you have a four legged passenger.
London Ontario, Wellington & 401, ★★★★
There are 8 Flo cabinets there, hence you are pretty much guaranteed to get a charging spot, again located at the back side of the parking lot (hence less likely to be ICEd). Close to the 401, and within an easy walking distance to fast food, and some shopping. This location scores big on charging, has decent food options, but looses points in the grocery department.
Canadian Tire, Brantford, ON ★★★★★
A four cabinet FLO station located near the 403 in Brandford. There are restaurants, grocery store, and an LCBO within an easy walk from the charger. Its a little close to Toronto, but there are times you need a charger after 100 km of driving, perhaps you are on your way to London, ON and need a top-up? If so, the Brandford Canadian Tire has got your back. With plenty of opportunities to use the charging time wisely.
Canadian Tire Gas + Milton, ON ★★★
While there is only one Flo fast charger there, you will find a pair of L2 Flo stations, a convenience store, Starbucks and a few restaurants. The Fast charger is often busy, but sometimes you only need a short top-up and its nice to stretch your legs after escaping Toronto Traffic. In which case why not use the L2 chargers and stretch your legs. If you are desperate, there is a Petro-Can down the road which offers L3 charging.
Canadian Tire Gas + Thorold Stone Rd & QEW, Niagra Falls, ON ★★★★
A pair of Flo fast chargers at a suprisingly well stocked convenience store. There is food near by, and its a good stop on your way to visit the falls or if you are venturing south of the border. Its a bit of a trek to the food basics, but the A&W nearby actually has a J1772 for guests.
Petro-Canada Kingston, ON ★★★
Just of the 401 by Hwy 38/Gardiners Road, this location scores big for convenience and the charging is decent. But there is not much beyond the Petro Can and its A&W.
There are many more that come to mind, but this felt like a good starting point for you my dear reader if you are considering an EV road-trip as your next adventure. Several stations came close to making my list, Carleton Place has several fast charging stations and is well located along Hwy 7, but felt a bit far from Toronto to make my theme. As the idea is to demonstrate that whichever direction your next adventure takes you, there is a charging station along the way, so why not go Electric.
Electric car adventures 