How much does it cost to charge an EV on a road trip?

The short answer

Toronto to Montréal is 550 km. For a 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 leaving at 80%, GYST planned one 26-minute stop at Ivy’s ONroute Napanee and estimated $30.64 for the whole trip.

Where the $30.64 comes from

About $20.10 is the charger at Napanee. The other $10.50 or so is the charge you leave home with, priced at your home electricity rate.

That second part counts because the battery was already 80% full when the car left the driveway, and that energy cost something. Leave it out and a trip that starts with a well-charged battery looks free, which makes a comparison with gas misleading.

Planned in GYST on October 6, 2026. Estimates only: your car, the weather and traffic will change the numbers.

Four real plans compared

These are real GYST plans from the site. The first three are a 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 leaving at 80%. The Tadoussac plan leaves Montréal at 94%.

Cost per kilometre differs between rows. Starting charge, the car, the network at each stop and any overnight charging all change the total, so one trip’s cost doesn’t scale to another.

What changes your own number

Your starting charge and your home electricity rate. GYST prices the charge you leave with at the home rate saved in the app.

The network at each stop. Networks bill differently, by the kWh or by the minute, so two similar stops can cost different amounts.

The car. Different cars use different amounts of energy over the same distance, so a plan for one car doesn’t carry over to another.

The weather. Cold weather and highway speeds reduce range, so winter trips can need a longer charge or an extra stop.

How to work it out by hand

Multiply the price per kWh at the charger by the kWh you add there. Then add the kWh you left home with multiplied by your home rate. GYST does this arithmetic for every stop before you leave and shows one total.

The catch

Every figure here is an estimate. Charger prices change, and your driving won’t match the plan exactly. If your real cost comes out different, tell us.

Plan your own trip

GYST is free to plan with on iPhone. Pick your exact vehicle, enter where you’re going and GYST builds the route with compatible charging stops, charging time and an estimated cost for the whole trip.

Questions about trip costs

Costs are estimates and change with your car, starting charge, charger prices, weather and traffic. Always check your plan and charger status before you leave.