Modified Nissan Ariya Completes First-Ever Pole-to-Pole EV Expedition
Remember the duo of adventurers who left the frozen Arctic Sea in March of this year and attempted to drive all the way to the South Pole in a modified Nissan Ariya? Well, they can now say ‘Mission accomplished!’
After 10 months and some 30,000 km, Chris and Julie Ramsey have just completed their pole-to-pole expedition by driving across Antarctica. It’s the first time any vehicle—let alone an EV—has completed such a journey through the Americas.
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“I can’t believe we’re at the South Pole. After so many years of planning, it doesn’t feel real,” Chris commented. “I’ve always had full confidence in the amazing capabilities of electric vehicles, and I knew our Nissan Ariya would tackle everything thrown at it. But it’s been far tougher than I anticipated. I’m proud that Pole to Pole has reached millions of people in parts of the world and enthused them about embracing EV in their day to day lives.”
Since the trip would take them on extreme terrains and environments including ice fields, deep snow, steep mountain climbs and inhospitable desert dunes, Nissan’s design and engineering teams partnered with Arctic Trucks, a company that specializes in polar expedition vehicles, to adapt an Ariya for Chris and Julie.
The most obvious difference is the beefed-up suspension and 39-inch BF Goodrich all-terrain tires, the latter sitting below massively flared fenders. Up on the roof, a set of crossbars allowed Nissan to mount a utility platform with built-in off-road lights, a camera and even a drone.
Crucially, no modifications were made to the 87kWh battery (net capacity), the dual-motor powertrain (389 hp) or the e-4ORCE electric all-wheel drive system. Such configuration normally gives the Ariya a range of about 428 km, Nissan says. Of course, with chargers absent for long stretches of the expedition, the Ramseys had to rely on a backup charging system.
You can relive their unique adventure by visiting @PoletoPoleEV on Instagram.
