Hyundai Auto Canada and electric vehicle enthusiast Patrick Nadeau have embarked on a journey that promises to prove the worth of EVs.

Nadeau is driving a Hyundai Ioniq 5 from Hyundai Canada’s headquarters in Markham, Ont. to the shores of the Arctic Ocean. The anticipated destination is Tuktoyaktuk, a community in the Northwest Territories.

The entire journey will cover more than 15,000 kilometres.

The journey, called the Hyundai Canada EV Road Trip, kicked off from Markham Thursday, April 24.

Nadeau is an Ioniq 5 owner himself, but for this journey he is using a brand-new 2025 Ioniq 5 Preferred model with the Ultimate package.

“As the owner of an Ioniq 5 with over 150,000 kilometres on the odometer, I know the vehicle well enough to trust that no modifications are needed to reach my destination safely,” Nadeau said in a news release. “Owning an EV is not the same as a gasoline vehicle, it requires more planning, which EV owners quickly accept and adapt to. The reward for some extra planning is worth it – the joy of instant torque, low cost of ownership, savings on charging versus gas, and a reduced carbon footprint all contribute to my reasons for going electric and for undertaking this epic adventure.”

Nadeau previously drove his own Ioniq 5 from Quebec to Mexico in 2022. That journey also covered more than 15,000 kilometres and proved long-distance travel can be achieved without using a drop of fuel.

The journey northwards will have some challenges, the team acknowledged, as access to chargers will become more difficult as will road conditions.

Furthermore, ferry schedules and availability are also difficult to predict due to high water flow in the spring.

The driver will share his journey experience along the way on Hyundai Canada’s social media channels. The company also plans to release a documentary-style travelogue.

Nadeau will also capture immersive virtual reality experiences along the way, which will be offered to hospitals across the country, free of charge, through the Hyundai Hope on Wheels non-profit organization.

Hyundai Canada also said the journey aims to demonstrate the EV’s long-distance capability and the vehicle’s reliable performance. In late 2024, Hyundai Motor India Limited and Evo India took an Ioniq 5 to the highest driveable place on Earth and drove down descending by an altitude of 5,799 metres.

“This project is more than just a road trip. It’s a statement of purpose. We believe in an electrified future that is accessible, reliable, and inspiring for all Canadians – from urban centres to the furthest reaches of the North,” said Christine Smith, director of marketing at Hyundai Canada, in the release.

The journey is expected to last approximately two months.

You can follow the journey along on the Hyundai Canada’s Instagram, Facebook and YouTube channels.

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