With exceptional range on a full charge, the Chevrolet Equinox EV ensures drivers can go the distance without worrying about frequent recharges.SUPPLIED
Andrew MacFarlane has barely opened the door of the Equinox EV when the thing most electric vehicle drivers want to see lights up on the display: the range.
The marketing segment manager at Chevrolet Canada is conducting a walk-around and test drive experience of its all-electric Equinox EV just outside of downtown Oshawa, Ont. He is acutely aware that for those new to the category, the biggest question is how far the vehicle can travel before needing a recharge.
As MacFarlane points out, the Equinox EV FWD has more than 500 kilometres of estimated electric range on a full charge.* At the start of the test drive, the car shows 512 kilometres, but that’s just part of the equation. He brings up a built-in integration that uses Google Maps on one of the car’s two large digital displays, which shows both the best route to a particular destination and where charging stations are located. When he uses a voice assistant to set “Ottawa” as the destination, the display shows the Equinox EV should still have 29 per cent battery remaining upon arrival.
“It’s an excellent way of using the power of OnStar Basics connectivity to instill range confidence for drivers,” MacFarlane says. “There’s no question range is top of mind for most people considering this kind of vehicle.”
Driving with One Pedal**
Beyond addressing concerns around range, MacFarlane says Chevrolet has designed the Equinox EV with technology that provides a distinct driving experience. This begins with starting the vehicle simply by touching the brake, rather than inserting a key or pressing a start button.
Once in motion, the Equinox EV includes options such as One-Pedal Driving. The moment a driver takes their foot off the accelerator, the vehicle begins to smoothly slow down and can even come to a complete stop. At the same time, the car is activating a technology called Regen On DemandTM*** – GM’s approach to what is known in the automotive industry as regenerative braking.
“If you’re going down Highway 401, for example, you’re driving with one pedal much of the time – using the brake pedal when needed, of course – which puts more energy back into the battery to help maximize your available range,” MacFarlane explains.
Super Cruise™ capability in close-up
Once on the highway, MacFarlane indicates a button on the steering wheel that activates the available Super Cruise**** system of semi-autonomous driving, illuminating a green light bar at the top of the steering wheel. Super Cruise vehicles are equipped with cameras and sensors that identify lane markings, helping drivers stay centred in their lane while driving hands-free. With Lane Change on Demand, drivers simply flick the turn signal, and the car will glide into the appropriate lane without any other actions.
Super Cruise works on more than 640,000 kilometres of mapped highways across North America. OnStar anticipates expanding to 1.2 million kilometers by the end of 2025, with additional growth expected in the following years.
Though the test drive is taking place on a crisp autumn morning, the Equinox EV also comes equipped with a heat pump that is designed to turn heat from the brakes or even the exhaled breath of people in the car into usable energy. This is the Equinox EV’s Energy Recovery System. A feature called ECO Climate can help increase range efficiency even further by isolating heat and air conditioning to the driver when there’s no one else in the car.
Beyond what Chevrolet is doing to extend range, MacFarlane notes that EV owners with GM’s NACS DC Adapter and their vehicle app now have access to Tesla’s Supercharger network, which consists of almost 18,000 locations across North America. Charging accessibility is poised for further growth as more people try out and purchase EVs, he adds. With the Equinox EV’s affordable price point – with an all-in starting price of $51,570-compared to the average cost of an EV at $73,000 (before any available federal or provincial incentives) – more consumers will be encouraged to make the switch.
“As EVs become part of more road trips and commutes, chargers are appearing in more places,” MacFarlane says. “It’s a good sign that we’re nearing a tipping point in EV infrastructure.”
Take the next step by learning more about the Chevrolet Equinox EV.
* Up to 513km for 2024 Equinox EV FWD. GM estimated using Government of Canada test methods. Refer to vehicles.nrcan.gc.ca for details. Actual range will vary based on several factors, including temperature, terrain, battery age, vehicle model, loading, use and maintenance.
**Feature may be limited when the battery temperatures are extremely cold or hot or when battery is near full charge. Always use the brake pedal when you need to stop immediately. See Owner’s Manual for details.
***Feature may be limited when the battery temperatures are extremely cold or hot or when battery is near full charge. See Owner’s Manual for details.
****Always pay attention while driving and when using Super Cruise. Do not use a hand-held device. See chevroletsupercruise.ca for compatible highways and more information. Requires active Super Cruise trial or paid subscription. Services are dependent on compatible wireless networks provided by third-party wireless service providers, working vehicle electrical systems, GPS signal and other factors outside GM control. Changes in technology and wireless networks may limit or prevent the operation of certain services. Services, connectivity, and capabilities are subject to terms and limitations and will vary by model, vehicle configuration, conditions, and geographical and technical restrictions. See onstar.ca for details.
Advertising feature produced by Globe Content Studio with Chevrolet. The Globe’s editorial department was not involved.
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