Hyundai IONIQ 5 completes almost 3,197 km ASEAN roadtrip

Are you still worried about losing charge when taking long drives with a fully electric vehicle (EV)? Hyundai wants to prove that range anxiety should not be a thing as it took the IONIQ 5 on an 11-day drive through five Southeast Asian countries.

Dubbed as Go Far with Zero Worries, the IONIQ 5 ASEAN Tour brought the IONIQ 5 through Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Cambodia, before its conclusion in Vietnam, specifically Ho Chi Minh City. The journey ended after a total of 3,197 kilometers, serving as a dynamic proving ground for the IONIQ 5, showcasing its reliability, eco-friendliness, and long-distance driving capabilities.

The tour was composed of five vehicles, two of which were manufactured in Indonesia, and the other three in Singapore. It was done in collaboration with several participants from the Association of Singapore (AAS), Hyundai Motor Company, local community influencers, and Key Opinion Leaders (KOL) from Indonesia and Thailand. The drive began in Singapore with a flag-off ceremony before heading across the border to Malaysia where participants participated in a media convoy featuring the IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6.

After crossing into Thailand, the IONIQ 5’s Vehicle to Load (V2L) technology was used to turn the cars into power hubs, powering outdoor lamps, music performance, a mini cinema, and culinary experiences, in the country’s capital of Bangkok. This was followed by a drive through Cambodia, ending in Vietnam, two countries where charging infrastructure is still limited, adding to the challenge. Regardless, the IONIQ 5 still had 50% battery charge remaining at the end.

“Hyundai is fueled by an unwavering commitment to innovation and shaping the future of mobility–a commitment that reverberates in every action we take,” said Hyundai Motor ASEAN President Youngtack Lee. “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.”

Another highlight of the tour is how much it costs to drive the IONIQ 5 with a total cost of only US$116 (~Php 6,450) per car for the entire journey. That’s approximately two times more cost-efficient in comparison to an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle.

Hyundai’s key takeaway from this tour is to prove that the region is ready for EVs and it looks like it is despite the limited infrastructure. Do you think Hyundai Motor Philippines should do something similar locally? Perhaps a drive from Ilocos Norte to Davao City.