Automotive

Nissan prepares Ariya SUV for 27,000-km Pole-to-Pole EV adventure

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Chris and Julie Ramsey are set to drive a slightly modified Nissan Ariya electric SUV from the magnetic North Pole to the South Pole on an epic EV adventure
Nissan
Chris and Julie Ramsey are set to drive a slightly modified Nissan Ariya electric SUV from the magnetic North Pole to the South Pole on an epic EV adventure
Nissan
Chris and Julie Ramsey already have impressive EV adventuring form, having previously driven their Nissan Leaf for 56 days over 17,000 km while competing in the Mongol Rally
Nissan
The stock Ariya's suspension and bodywork have been adjusted to accommodate 39-inch BF Goodrich tires
Nissan
The Nissan Ariya Pole to Pole electric SUV includes a weather station and camera drone, plus an espresso coffee machine
Nissan
Chris and Julie Ramsey report that the battery pack and drivetrain of the host Nissan Ariya have not been modified for the the 27,000-km Pole-to-Pole trip, though portable charging technology will be towed along to help with top-ups
Nissan
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Next month, a husband and wife team will set off on an epic electric journey from the magnetic North Pole to its southern counterpart, in a Nissan Ariya electric SUV that's been kitted out for adventure.

It's not the first time we've encountered Chris and Julie Ramsey. Back in 2017, we featured their all-terrain modification of a Nissan Leaf ahead of its successful completion of the 17,000-km (10,500-mile) Mongol Rally. Now they're about to get behind the wheel of another electric Nissan, this time an Ariya, and this time going on a 27,000-km (over 16,700-mile) journey from the north of the globe to the south.

Polar expedition specialist Arctic Trucks has partnered with Nissan to get the electric SUV ready for its epic adventure, though the battery and powertrain remain unmodified.

While not specified in the press materials, assuming it's the 290-kW and 87-kWh AWD version with 600 Nm (442 lb.ft) of torque and e-4ORCE all-wheel control technology, that would mean a per-charge range of up to 475 km (295 miles). The temperatures likely to be encountered runs from -30 to plus 30 °C (-22 - 86 °F), so actual range figures may be somewhat different.

The vehicle will tow a prototype trailer fitted out with a lightweight wind turbine and solar panels to help meet some of their charging needs along the route.

Chris and Julie Ramsey already have impressive EV adventuring form, having previously driven their Nissan Leaf for 56 days over 17,000 km while competing in the Mongol Rally
Nissan

Vehicle modifications are reported to have been minimal. "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," said Chris Ramsey. "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 tires. 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!" Other notable additions include a built-in espresso machine, weather station and a drone that can be launched from the roof.

The expedition marks the first time any vehicle has been driven from Pole to Pole. It's expected to take around 10 months to complete, and is being undertaken not only to showcase EV technologies and capabilities, but also to highlight the issues we all face as a result of climate change.

The Ramseys are due to set off in March and will make their way across 14 countries from the Arctic north to Canada, down through the US and South America, and onward to Antarctica. A second, unmodified, Ariya e-4FORCE will serve as a support vehicle for the North and South American legs of the journey.

You can follow the adventure via a dedicated Pole to Pole page. Have a look at the short video below for more on the preparations.

Source: Nissan

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10 comments
Smokey_Bear
Good luck to them, the vehicle with those huge tires actually looks cool.
Claudio
"actual range figures may be somewhat different": it WILL be different, with those huge tires, towing a trailer and with (very) subzero temperatures
minivini
Very curious to see what the actual range is with those monster tires. Cool concept trip!
mark34
Charging details seem to be sparse, except for the wind turbine and solar panels (should be enough to power the espresso machine) ...good luck finding an operating EV charging station for the first 5000kmof the trip
DaveTarell
I'd be willing to bet that they don't drive through the Darien Gap.
TpPa
Tires alone will cut mileage in half
fredricwilliams
While it sounds cool to go from pole to pole, I believe neither pole is on a land mass, So I have to wonder if this is the actual goal or just a marketing gimmick. My guess is that they are just going from way up to way down with the poles moving out in the ocean nearby.
WB
I call BS on this one . There is no way a car can make it to the south pole ... Darian gap and tons of cliffs and formations that sled dogs barely can cross ..don't think they thought this trough
ljaques
That's actually the very best looking EV I've ever seen.
@TpPa The rolling resistance is less with the larger diameter, but they're doubly as wide. Maybe it nulls out.
I wonder how many charging stations they'll find in Central and South America, not to mention either pole.
ReservoirPup
What a mismatch - the new tech is coupled with a dated mindset. If they did the other way round - walked or cycled to use as little resources as possible - it would be something. That espresso machine just reinforces the problem. What a shame😞