Published October 23rd, 2024

Photography by Isabelle Havasy unless otherwise noted.

It started as an ambitious idea – three days, two girls, one EV. Our mission? Exploring the country side without guilt, blending seamlessly with the ethos of the places we visited. Each stop of our getaway was meticulously handpicked to immerse ourselves with Eastern Townships’ charm. A declaration of love to the open road, with respect to the nature.

Glass by glass, bite by bite, as the region’s spirit revealed itself, so did the Chevrolet Equinox EV. More than a mere vehicle, it became our quiet cocoon. Its near-silent propulsion turned every kilometre into a meditative experience. No longer competing with the roar of an engine, we found ourselves drawn to subtler sounds – the crunch of leaves underfoot, the rustling of trees, even the echo of our own laughter as we wound our way through hills and valleys.

Unwinding in the Country

Fully loaded, the Equinox glided effortlessly along the winding roads and sweeping views painted with the Technicolor autumn foliage. Lake Massawippi suddenly appeared before us like a watercolour masterpiece. The Ripplecove Hotel & Spa was about to become our sanctuary, a place to relax and recharge. This historic hotel, now boasting 70 rooms and a coveted four-diamond rating, felt like a home away from home. In our two-bedroom suite with expansive windows and a panorama to lose oneself in, we unpacked and let the quietness of this haven settle over us.

The enchanting setting was just a prelude to the gastronomic delights that awaited us. We indulged in a curated tasting menu at Le Riverain, where the sommelier Joanie Métivier guided us through a pairing that married the region’s culinary essence with wines from as far afield as the Canary Islands. As we progress across the seasonal seven meals course, we remembered why we chose this trip – to reconnect with nature, and soak in the beauty of the moment.

An Electrifying Journey

Just across the street from Café des Cantons, you can connect your vehicle to a Level 2 charging station. Within a seven-minute drive, Carrefour Santé Globale, in Magog, boasts eight Tesla Superchargers delivering up to 150 kW.

On our second day, we swapped our four wheels for two after grabbing a delicious breakfast at Café des Cantons in Orford. Hopping on our electric bikes from E-Mobilité, we pedalled our way across the rolling hills of Dunham. As we rode through vibrant fall hues and scenic routes, the occasional burst of speed on descents gave us a thrilling rush, while the electric assistance smoothed our steep climbs.

Our gastronomic adventure led us to the cozy embrace of Beat & Betterave in Frelighsburg. Part bistro, part nanobrewery, this small but lively neighbouring gem embodies farm-to-table simplicity with a boho-chic edge. We treated ourselves with a refreshing homemade lemonade, and a hearty meal made from ingredients sourced just a few feet away.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, we headed towards Ôma, a restaurant nestled within Vignoble du Ruisseau. Our dinner turned into an unexpected delight. The menu was inspired by local terroir and seasoned with Hakim Chajar’s imagination, the Chef-Owner. Beautifully plated, every dish – from tender Québec lamb to decadent chocolate desserts – was as much a feast for the eyes as for the palate.

Traveling Along the Wine Route

Like at Ripplecove, Vignoble du Ruisseau offers two 9.6 kW Destination Porsche chargers in its parking area. The Val Caudalie and L’Orpailleur vineyards both provide Destination Tesla charging (less powerful than the Superchargers), but L’Orpailleur also has the CCS combo option.

Throughout the weekend, we explored Dunham’s, the birthplace of Québec’s grape-growing industry. The three vineyards we visited mirrored the spirit of our eco-friendly adventure with their sustainable approach, each different but aiming at a same goal; exploiting what nature has to offer while preserving its essence. L’Orpailleur stands as a trailblazer in the region, blending tradition with innovation for 40 years. Québec’s famous poet Gilles Vigneault gave it its name, comparing winemakers to gold diggers as “It takes just as much time, science, patience and perseverance to harvest the little lady who has slept under the snow all winter.”

Perched on the hills of the first township, the Val Caudalies vineyard welcomed us with a panorama that seemed to stretch on forever. Christiane, our guide, led us through a tasting that felt more like a conversation. She spoke of the vines as if they were old friends, sharing all their secrets. Our connection was deepening with each glass, as if we were toasting the beauty of the very land that had produced these bottles.

Our path through the grapevine ended at Domaine Bergeville. Known for its organic bubbles and biodynamic farming methods, the domain seemed to embody the very principles we had sought on this trip. Tatiana explained the intricate balance they maintain throughout the whole process, from the vine to the wine. It felt less like a vineyard and more like a living ecosystem, thriving under the care of people who truly understood and respected the nature.

A New Kind of Tourism

Most small villages have a number of Level 2 stations. However, for greater power and speed, you’ll need to head for larger towns, like Cowansville, Sutton, Bromont, Farnham, and Granby.

The Eastern Townships offered us more than scenic landscapes; they gave us a glimpse of how tourism can evolve to meet the demands of a greener future. The Chevrolet Equinox EV proved to be more than a backdrop to our adventure. It became a silent partner in our quest for an eco-conscious escapade. While its long range of 513 km allowed us to navigate worry-free for almost a penny, its Super Cruise system made the drive smooth and effortless.

As the kilometres ticked away as we head back to the city, I felt an unfamiliar sense of calm. Our journey hadn’t left a trail of emissions, aside from the memories created from these places we’d visited as lightly as a shadow.

During our road trip, we only needed to charge on one occasion. We opted for an overnight plug-in. The Ripplecove provides its customers with many Level 2 charging stations. By the time we got back to our base camp, the only vacant spot was Porsche’s 9.6 kW unit. In just five hours, we had regained the missing 75 % of power enabling us to carry on our journey with a fully charged Equinox EV the following day. Armed with an impressive range of 513 km, the Equinox EV performs on the same level as the Chevrolet Blazer EV, Ford Mach-E and Hyundai IONIQ 5, which all rank in a league of their own. The rest of the competition offers an average electric range of around 360 km.

Connect with Isabelle on Instagram.

For a full review of the first-ever Chevrolet Equinox electric vehicle from our Modern Motoring channel:

My road trip partner and I were guests of Tourism Eastern Townships, in collaboration with Chevrolet. The organizations did not review or approve the story before publication.

Vines, Views and Voltage - Exploring the Eastern Townships the Green Way in an Electric Vehicle

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