Gas or electric, most vehicles will give you a distance to empty figure when you turn the vehicle on. In a gas vehicle, empty means a short stop to refill. In an electric vehicle, empty means you need to recharge. Even in a Taycan, the fastest charging EV on the market; a full charge is going to take at least an hour. This reality causes the driver of an EV to be persistently conscious of their range. This feeling is better known as “range anxiety”. Despite the overwhelming benefits of driving an electric vehicle, range anxiety is the unavoidable result of technologies and infrastructures that are still in the infancy of their development. A future with charging times equal to refuelling times and charging stations as prevalent as gas stations is near. However, we are not quite there yet.
For this reason, we put together a list of trips you can make in a fully charged Taycan, round trip. This is not a list of trips to places with EV chargers. A trip planned around where you need to charge will always be dominated by the thought of your remaining range. This is a list of destinations that you can be sure you’ll make it to and from on a single charge. With no thoughts of finding a charging station, you can focus on the destination and the experience. You get to experience all of the benefits of EV ownership with none of the drawbacks.
Our list assumes your starting location is Porsche Centre Langley, and you leave with a fully charged Taycan Turbo showing a range of around 400km. Given those conditions; here are some places you can visit without needing to plug in:
Harrison Hot Springs:
Distance: 181km round trip
At 181km there and back, Harrison Hot Springs is the shortest trip on our list. Located on the South end of Harrison Lake, Harrison Hot Springs is a picturesque lakeside community with activities for every season. Come summertime, the cold glacier fed lake is the main attraction. Come wintertime, the natural hot springs Harrison gets its name from are the go to spot. Whatever the season, you’ll always be able to find something to do in the town. Full of cafes, artisan shops, and surprisingly good restaurants; You’ll enjoy your time after a day of heating up or cooling down.
Victoria:
Distance: 153km round trip
While Vancouver Island may seem like a long way away, the total distance travelled is relatively short. Not to mention, the experience of taking a ferry is enhanced by the benefits an EV provides. While gas cars are not permitted to idle while waiting for a ferry, EV’s are free to remain turned on throughout the entire wait. Meaning you are free to enjoy the comforts of your vehicle throughout the entire ferry ride. Once in Victoria, park up near the harbour and you’ll be within walking distance of some of BC’s best destinations. Enjoy high tea at the Fairmont Empress, take in the sights of BC’s legislative building, go on a tour of the Royal BC Museum, or enjoy a meal at any of Victoria’s great downtown restaurants. With such a distinctly different feeling to Vancouver, and so much to do in such a small area; Victoria is the ultimate staycation destination.
Whistler
Distance: 346km round trip
Known worldwide, this one speaks for itself. We just wanted to take this opportunity to remind you that the trip can be made on a single charge.
Manning Park Resort:
Distance: 375km round trip
The longest trip on our list, Manning Park is often seen as a stopover point on the way to the BC Interior. However, Manning Park as a destination has a lot to offer. In the winter time, choose from a variety of snowy activities such as; snowshoeing, cross country skiing, tubing, and ice skating. In the summertime, enjoy activities such as; hiking, horseback riding, boating, and mountain biking. Year round, Manning Park is an incredibly popular location for photography. Located in a steep valley and surrounded by the Cascade Mountains, Manning Park makes the ideal location for capturing that perfect photo of your Porsche EV.
Written September 2021