Tips from the pros

How much range do you really need from L’Étape?

When you charge your EV at L’Étape, you may want to do it for a shorter period. The Electric Circuit trip planner is the perfect tool to ensure you reach your destination with enough power. Click here for more informations

 

Made it to L’Étape? Great, the hardest part’s done!

Whether you’re coming from the south or the north, your EV will require a lot less energy on the second leg of your journey through the Réserve faunique des Laurentides than it did on the first. 

Why? Because L’Étape is located on a plateau about 800 m above sea level. So whether you’re coming from the south or the north, you drive uphill to get there and then descend towards your destination. That means your EV’s energy consumption in kWh/100 km will be significantly higher on the first leg of your journey through the Réserve faunique des Laurentides (from Québec or Saguenay to L'Étape) than on the second (from L'Étape to Saguenay or Québec).
Here are two trip planner simulations for a Nissan LEAF:

• Heading north on the 73-km drive from Stoneham to L'Étape, the LEAF’s battery charge level drops by 45% (from 90% to 45%, for example). But on the roughly 100-km stretch from L'Étape to Laterrière, the level only drops by 36%. So your EV’s consumption in kWh/100 km after L'Étape is 40% lower than before L'Étape.
• Heading south on the roughly 100-km stretch between Laterrière and L'Étape, the LEAF’s battery charge level drops by 59% (from 90% to 31%, for example). But from L'Étape to Stoneham, the level only drops by 24% over the 73-km drive. So your EV’s consumption in kWh/100 km after L'Étape is 45% lower than before L'Étape.

The figures below  illustrate the elevation (green) and battery charge level or state of charge (blue). 

 
The charging stations start where the forest ends.
Several fast-charge stations near the city of Québec and in the Saguenay region can supplement or replace a charging session at L’Étape.
Charging stations on Route 175 to Saguenay
 
Charging stations on Route 169 to Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean

Charging stations on Route 175 to Stoneham and the city of Québec

Open the app and new charging stations will pop up! 

Making more stops is good for both your health and your EV. 
Two charging sessions at different stations may be better than one long one. 
For many EVs, the charging speed decreases significantly as the battery’s state of charge (SoC) increases. In the following example of a Hyundai Kona, the charging power is only 35 kW when the SoC reaches 70% and then drops to 20% when the SoC is 80%. So it takes twice as long to increase your range by 20 km.
 
Charge your vehicle at L'Étape if you don't have enough range to cross the reserve, but always ask yourself how much range you really need.  

It’s cheaper to charge your EV at home or at a level 2 charging station than at a fast-charge station. 
Compared to a fast-charge station, the price per kWh ($1/hour) is around four times lower at home and half the cost at a level 2 charging station. This is due to the high cost of fast charging stations and their maintenance. If you’re at a fast-charge station, only charge for as long as you need to get to your destination or the next charging station within a safety range you’re comfortable with.