Hyundai IONIQ 5 owner Patrick Nadeau has reached the destination of his epic EV journey to the Arctic Circle. He reached the hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk, N.W.T., on June 10th, before heading back to Hyundai Canada’s headquarters in Markham, Ontario.
Having departed Hyundai Canada’s head office on April 24th, Mr. Nadeau navigated through five provinces and two territories, proving that long-distance electric travel is not only feasible but also a practical and sustainable option for Canadians.
The 100 per cent electric, multiple award-winning IONIQ 5 performed flawlessly, showcasing Hyundai EVs’ ability to overcome the unique challenges of Canada’s vast and rugged terrain, including unpredictable road conditions and limited charging infrastructure in remote areas.
“Hyundai is fully committed to an all-electric future, and we are proud to offer Canada’s most awarded EV lineup,” said Steve Flamand, president and CEO of Hyundai Auto Canada. “Our recent ranking as the number one brand for EV consideration in Canada in the latest J.D. Power report is a testament to this commitment. As a leader in electrification, we believe it’s our responsibility to educate our customers about EVs through various initiatives. This road trip to the Arctic Ocean further demonstrates that Hyundai electric vehicles are built for Canada’s tough conditions.”
On the road with an EV
From Markham to Tuktoyaktuk, charging the vehicle was not an issue. With a little bit of planning, Mr. Nadeau was able to locate all the charging locations along the way, allowing him to travel efficiently. Although chargers remain scarcer in the northern part of the country, there was always a location available for the IONIQ 5 to recharge its 84-kWh battery.
“Travelling this far with any vehicle is adventure! The most challenging portions of this trip for me were two stretches of nearly 400 kilometres with nothing in sight, not event a 110-volt outlet,” said Patrick Nadeau. With an available range of 504 kilometres (463 km on the trim used for this project), the IONIQ 5 was able to complete these portions of the drive.
In fact, the biggest challenges Patrick Nadeau had to face during this adventure had nothing to do with the fact that he was driving an electric vehicle. “I ended up being stuck in Dawson City for a few days because I needed to hop on a ferry that was not open yet due to high water levels. After reaching the Arctic Ocean, a part of the Alaska Highway was closed for a little while due to wildfires, which also delayed my trip.”
Patrick Nadeau’s IONIQ 5 was laden with roughly 400 pounds of gear. This included essential filming equipment, camping gear, clothing, food and a full-sized spare wheel and tire he wisely picked up in Whitehorse for the latter part of his journey. Fortunately, he navigated the entire trip without a single puncture.
Throughout his odyssey, Patrick Nadeau shared his adventures on Hyundai Canada’s social media platforms through weekly recap videos – the final episode will air on July 4th. A long-form documentary on his journey will also be produced and shared on Hyundai Canada’s YouTube channel.
Virtual Reality and Hyundai Hope on Wheels
On the road, Patrick Nadeau also captured immersive virtual reality (VR) experiences, which will be offered free of charge to hospitals across the country in partnership with Hyundai Hope on Wheels. These VR experiences will allow young patients battling paediatric cancer to virtually explore Western Canada from their hospital rooms, bringing a piece of this inspiring adventure to those who need it most.
While it lasted for approximately two months, this adventure could have been completed faster. The idea was for Mr. Nadeau to take his time and visit some of the most beautiful locations in Canada, while capturing content for Hyundai Hope on Wheels. He notably stayed an entire week in Ucluelet, on the island of Vancouver, where he joined the Hyundai Canada team on a media program organized around the launch of the all-new 2026 IONIQ 9. On his way back, Mr. Nadeau managed to drive for more than 1,000 kilometres per day, proving once again that travelling long distances in a short amount of time is very much doable with an EV.
“Reaching Tuktoyaktuk in an IONIQ 5 is an incredible feeling, a true testament to the vehicle’s unwavering performance and the steady evolution of Canada’s EV charging network,” said Patrick Nadeau. “This trip wasn’t just about the kilometres, it was about proving what’s possible with an EV and, more importantly, creating a unique experience for children through Hyundai Hope on Wheels. The support and interest from Canadians along the way have been truly inspiring.”
After reaching the Arctic Ocean in this completely stock 2025 IONIQ 5, Patrick Nadeau has now returned to his starting point, at the head office of Hyundai Canada in Markham, Ontario. During this adventure of nearly 20,000 kilometres, the IONIQ 5 kept an average energy consumption of 18,9 kWh/100 km. It charged 87 times for an average of 42 minutes and a total cost of $1,403,13. “With a regular SUV averaging 10 L/100 km, this same trip would have cost me more than twice that amount in gas alone!”, says Patrick Nadeau.
