A writer embarked on a road trip to Canada in a 2026 Volvo EX90, marking their first long-distance electric vehicle journey. The trip got off to a rocky start when the app to initiate charging wouldn’t work, requiring three attempts and assistance from a General Motors employee to resolve the issue.
The writer eventually managed to start charging using a credit card, with the charger estimating 40 minutes to reach 100 percent. During this time, they chatted with a GM engineer and grabbed a coffee, taking advantage of the amenities available at the charging station.
After resetting the Volvo’s system by holding down the round Play button for 20 seconds, Google connectivity was restored, and the writer’s phone paired successfully. With the route planner back online, they followed its advice and charged again in Mackinac City, about 190 miles closer to their final destination.
Charging Experiences
The writer used a Tesla supercharger with a NACS adapter to charge the EX90 in a hotel parking lot beside the docks for the ferries to Mackinac Island. They noted that the trip took closer to 11 hours, compared to the usual six hours, due to various factors such as traffic, border crossing, and charging time.
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The writer also spent time trying to connect to the charger, had trouble with EVgo chargers, and stopped to get groceries, contributing to the longer journey time. However, they were pleased to find that their summer home’s new Wallbox charger worked seamlessly, keeping the Volvo topped up and also charging a long-term Volkswagen ID.Buzz that another editor brought to visit.
Return Trip
The return trip was significantly easier, with the writer’s first stop being about 160 miles away, where they spent 45 minutes charging and checking email. They noted that their anxiety level had decreased significantly, and they were becoming more comfortable with the EX90’s infotainment system.
The writer stopped again in Waterford, about 40 minutes from their office, to charge the vehicle, using a Great Lakes Energy charger that was picky about accepting certain credit cards. They charged the vehicle from 25 percent to 81 percent in half an hour, figuring it would be sufficient for the next person waiting to take the car.
The return trip took around eight hours, with the writer reflecting on their experience and noting that while electric vehicles may take longer to travel due to charging time, repeat runs could breed familiarity with the best charging spots, and the time spent charging could be used productively.
