Residents and visitors will have the chance to test drive electric vehicles and learn more about EV technology when Plug’n Drive’s Mobile EV Education Trailer (MEET) arrives in Bracebridge later this month.
The travelling EV education centre will be stationed at the Muskoka Lumber Community Centre from June 18 to July 26 as part of Plug’n Drive’s 2026 EVs are for EVeryone Cross-Canada Tour. The initiative is supported nationally by Natural Resources Canada and RBC, with local backing from Lakeland EV Charging and the Town of Bracebridge.
Operating Thursdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., MEET Muskoka will offer free test drives and educational displays designed to help consumers better understand electric vehicles in a sales-free environment.
“MEET Muskoka is an opportunity to bring EV education directly to residents and visitors in a region where geography, seasonal tourism, and cottage country travel differ from larger urban centres,” said Cara Clairman, president and CEO of Plug’n Drive.
Visitors will be able to compare a variety of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, including models from Chevrolet, Hyundai, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Toyota and Volvo. EV ambassadors will also be available to answer questions about charging, driving range, operating costs, incentives and vehicle performance.
Drivers must be at least 21 years old and hold a full, unrestricted driver’s licence. Passengers aged eight and older are welcome when accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Mayor Rick Maloney said the program aligns with the town’s environmental goals.
“By giving residents access to reliable information and firsthand experiences with electric vehicles, we can support informed decision-making, encourage sustainable transportation options, and continue working toward a greener, more resilient community,” he said.
In addition to its Bracebridge location, the Muskoka EV Tour will host roadshow events in Huntsville, Parry Sound and at the Muskoka Arts & Crafts Summer Show in July.
Test drives can be booked online, although walk-ins will also be accepted during operating hours.
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New gas vehicles make no financial sense for most people any more.
Concerned about the high cost of gas?
“Fuel” for an EV can cost less than zero. Better than free.
Assuming you are able to charge overnight at home.
Concerned about the high cost of new, noisy, polluting internal combustion engine cars?
A clean, quiet mid size EV can cost $13K less than the $58K average cost of new ICE cars not including expensive pickup trucks.
Concerned about the high operating cost of ICE cars?
An EV can save $4K per year in gas, maintenance and insurance costs. Some insurance companies, like CAA, give a big discount for EVs.
For $45K after the $5K federal rebate you can now get a mid size EV. Plus fees and taxes. $13K less than the average.
The rebate drops by $1K every year until it’s gone in 2031.
Concerned about the ridiculous, stressful traffic jams in the GTA?
Let your new EV do the driving and relax.
And still save $2.8K over an old fashioned gasoline vehicle after subscribing to Full Self Driving.
Just tell it where you want to go and don’t touch the controls. It will drive there and park automatically at your destination.
If you change your electricity plan to the Ultra Low Overnight rate of 3.9 cents per kWh and sign up for the rewards program from charger companies you can actually be paid more for your kWh usage than it costs you. A charger company will pay you 10 cents per kWh for the energy your EV uses after you buy their $400 charger. It costs you 3.9 plus 2 cents for the variable part of delivery or 5.9 cents per kWh. So you are making 4.1 cents for every kWh you use.
Less than zero cost for “fuel.” The more you drive the more you make.
We are already saving $150 per year on the ULO rate with timers on the hot water tank and hot tub so they only heat at the low rate. In spite of the ultra high rate of 39 cents per kWh 4-9pm weekdays only. With an EV we will save $4K per year. Believe it or not. After a few years the new, roomy EV is cheaper than any tiny, polluting econobox.
The clean, far less expensive future is here.