The Pole to Pole EV expedition team and Nissan unveiled a modified Nissan Ariya all-electric SUV, which will undertake a 27,000 km (17,000 miles) adventure from the magnetic North Pole to the South Pole starting in March.
Set amongst Arctic-like conditions, Julie and Chris Ramsey standing next to an adventure-ready all-electric Nissan Ariya SUV in preparation for their Pole to Pole challenge they will be starting in March 2023
During this amazing adventure the team and the Ariya will navigate breath-taking yet extreme terrains and environments, including ice fields, deep snow, steep mountain climbs and inhospitable desert dunes. Arctic Trucks, specialists in polar expedition vehicles, worked with Nissan design and engineering teams to prepare the Ariya for these tough conditions. Yet modifications to the car have been minimal, with no changes to the battery or powertrain.
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Chris Ramsey said, “One of the things that underpins all the adventures we do is that we take a standard production EV and aim to make minimal changes to clearly demonstrate its real, everyday capabilities, regardless of where you are driving it. Our Nissan Ariya is no different as the vehicle’s drivetrain and battery has remained factory standard, demonstrating just how capable and versatile the production Ariya is. We’ve modified the suspension and widened the wheel arches so we can benefit from the stable platform and support of the 39-inch BF Goodrich tyres. I’m incredibly excited to get behind the wheel of what was already a brilliant vehicle, but now feels equipped to take on the ends of the earth in style!”
Another innovation the team will be taking is a portable, renewable energy unit that will be used to charge the Ariya in the polar regions. The towable prototype includes a packable, lightweight wind turbine and solar panels that will take advantage of high winds and long daylight hours to provide charge for the EV’s battery when the husband and wife team stop to rest.
“The planning and preparation for Pole to Pole has been such a big part of our lives over the past four years so I am really looking forward to getting the expedition underway in March.” Julie Ramsey went on to say, “We’re going to discover so many interesting initiatives from communities and individuals who are taking positive action against climate change and I’m looking forward to sharing these experiences and stories with everyone. We are doing something that has never been attempted before, a world-first, and ultimately that is what makes it so exciting.”