The Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom is set to launch a unique Arctic expedition later this month, testing its domestically developed electric vehicle, the Atom, aboard the nuclear-powered icebreaker 50 Let Pobedy (“50 Years of Victory”).

The journey, scheduled to depart from the port of Murmansk at the end of June, is part of the "Atom on the Icebreaker" initiative — a joint project between Atomflot, Rosatom’s Fuel Division (which recently established a dedicated Electric Mobility business unit), and Kama, the automotive company behind the Atom EV.

As part of the expedition, a pre-production prototype of the Atom electric car will be presented to passengers, along with a detailed overview of its technical features.

A key highlight of the voyage will involve lowering the vehicle onto Arctic sea ice to evaluate its performance under extreme environmental conditions.

“Harsh climatic conditions have long been viewed as a major obstacle for electric vehicles. Today, we’re heading confidently to the Arctic to demonstrate that these limitations are being overcome,” said Alexander Bukhvalov, Director of Rosatom’s Electric Mobility division.

“If the car can operate reliably in one of the world’s most demanding climates, it will certainly prove itself in any everyday context.”

The Atom is the first Russian electric vehicle developed specifically for the country’s unique terrain and weather. The project represents a strategic shift for Rosatom, which is diversifying into electric mobility as a new business line alongside its core nuclear and energy operations.

The expedition is expected to provide crucial data on cold-weather EV performance and marks a symbolic step in Russia’s broader efforts to position itself as a player in the global electric vehicle market.

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