IONIQ 5 ASEAN Tour proves EVs can be used for long-distance travel

For those who think that the age of electric vehicles means the end of long-distance adventure travel because the range of EVs is limited by charging stations, that is unlikely to be the case. Recently, we wrote about a couple who drove an EV from the North Pole to the South Pole, a distance of 30,000 kms.

Closer to home, the IONIQ 5 ASEAN Tour organized by the Korean carmaker has also demonstrated that it is possible to drive an EV great distances in Southeast Asia. The event took the participants  through 5 countries – Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam – covering a distance of 3,197 kms (446 kms more than the initial calculation).

5 units of the IONIQ 5 were used for the event, 2 manufactured in Indonesia and 3 in Singapore.

The tour showcased the IONIQ 5’s reliability, eco-friendliness, and long-distance capabilities, certainly helping to convince those who are doubtful about EVs. Additionally, the calculations on running costs were US$116 (RM540) per car for the entire journey. This would be about 2 times more cost-efficient in comparison to a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, says Hyundai Motor.

“This journey emphatically validates the tour’s slogan, ‘Go Far With Zero Worries’, underscoring the pivotal role of electric vehicles in shaping the future of transportation. Importantly, it signals that the ASEAN region is ready for future electrification,” said Fitra Eri, a participant who was the first person in Indonesia to own an IONIQ 5.

“Our dedication to making electric vehicles more accessible as the definitive clean mobility solution of tomorrow has taken a giant leap forward. Witnessing the tremendous success and excitement generated by the IONIQ 5 ASEAN Tour, we are propelled to intensify our comprehensive innovation aimed at fortifying the EV infrastructure and ecosystem across the region. The journey may have concluded, but the electric excitement has just begun,” said Youngtack Lee, President of Hyundai Motor ASEAN.

“Hyundai is fueled by an unwavering commitment to innovation and shaping the future of mobility – a commitment that reverberates in every action we take,” he declared.

Visit www.hyundai.com.my to know more about the IONIQ 5 and other Hyundai EVs available in Malaysia.

Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Centre in Singapore

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