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Electric car buyers have to consider a number of things, such as the location and availability of charging stations in their immediate area. There's been a real proliferation of charging stations across Canada in 2012. One company in Ontario, Sun Country Highway, even set out to build the ''World's Longest Greenest Highway'' by electrifying Canada from coast to coast. There are currently charging stations every 1 to 230 kilometres along the Trans-Canadian Highway and (best of all) they are free.

• Map of Sun Country Highway charging stations

In Quebec, the Electric Circuit offers electric car owners access to charging stations at various partner locations. All you need is a prepaid card.

• Map of Electric Circuit charging stations

Moreover, Electric Mobility Canada, in collaboration with Plug'nDrive Ontario and CAA, developed a comprehensive map of all charging stations from various providers across Canada.

• Canadian map of all charging stations

VERnetwork (Vehicles Electrically Rechargeable), developed by Add Énergie, covers both Quebec and British Columbia. A membership is required.

• Map of VERnetwork charging stations

United States
South of the border, you'll find a vast network of charging stations for electric cars. The U.S. Department of Energy has a map that points to the location of over 11,000 stations, all identified by energy type (electricity, propane, hydrogen, ethanol, etc.).

• Map of charging stations in the U.S.

Europe
Planning a trip across the pond? Regardless of your destination, you can find thousands of charging stations to dispel your range anxiety. Take a look at:

• EV-Charging Station: (U.K., Germany, Spain, Austria, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, and other countries);
• France Mobilité Électrique: (France, Spain, U.K., Italy, Germany, and more);
• Chargemap.com: Over 13,000 charging stations for electric cars on both sides of the Atlantic.

Photo: Chevrolet