It really is possible to solo parent and drive an EV across Canada in 50 days.

I can’t believe we’ve already accomplished 50 days across Canada in a fully electric campervan. If you weren’t following us on Instagram @melaninelectric , it was quite an adventure.

Initially I was just so excited to share ny plans, geek out on my foray into vanlife in our pre-owned VW ID Buzz, that I was just looking for folks to believe in us and cheer us on.

Striking a pose in Revelstoke, BC in front of our VW ID BUZZ

Yet in many ways it’s impossible not to look at the deeper message of what is means when you’re a mixed race Black family crossing the country, let alone in a fully electrical vehicle. It goes without saying that there are so few of us on the road, even fewer attempting vanlife and just a smattering in the national parks we stayed in along the way.

More importantly, it’s already a major undertaking to make it across this insanely vast country as a solo mum with a young kiddo and dog in tow - regardless of what car you’re driving.

Now, add the fact that I decided to camp almost entirely in our DIY campervan. It’s not surpising that even strangers started telling me I was crazy or questioned whether it’s even possible to drive an electric van from coast to coast.

Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta (charging from the camps electric hook up, minutes from the hiking trails in this UNESCO site.)

So bit by bit in my own playful way, this trip became about inspiring anyone who followed us to believe their dreams, invite under represented communities to embrace the wilderness more in their lives and to show everyone without lifting my middle finger that yes this trip truly is possible and it’s also….fun.

I posted daily on social media, while my little family and I built an even greater sense of belonging as traversed this incredible country. Showing people how manageable and exciting it is to camp along the way, and that it’s more than possible to do it from any kind make shift car camping set up. Not to mention that driving an EV made the whole trip incredible cost effective and climate friendly.

Made it to Tofino, BC - also known as the end of the road!

So many people have been indoctrinated to believe that a gas-powered car is the only way and that some how we would get stranded just trying to drive a fully elelctric car that isn’t a Tesla.

And yet, we did it!

So now I want to tell you more about how, what worked, what failed, what surprised us and the many ways that EV roadtripping is possible across this wondrous country to Canada.

Whistlers Campground, Jasper National Park

And no I’m not sponsored by Volkswagen in any way….