Nissan Ariya world-first - EV Drives from North to South Pole

After embarking on their journey nearly ten months ago from the Magnetic North Pole, Chris and Julie Ramsey, a husband and wife duo, have successfully arrived at the South Pole in their fully electric Nissan Ariya.

Their epic adventure spanned almost 30,000 kilometers, taking them across the icy expanses of the Arctic Sea and through the rugged landscapes of North and South America before venturing into the snowy wilderness of Antarctica.

Upon reaching their ultimate destination, the Ariya achieved the distinction of being the first electric vehicle (EV) to traverse from the northernmost point to the southernmost point of the Earth.

This ambitious expedition had been a long-held dream of the Ramseys, dating back to 2017 when they completed the Mongol Rally, a journey of over 10,000 kilometers, in their Nissan Leaf. During that time, they realized the tremendous interest that a pole-to-pole adventure could generate for electric cars.

“I can’t believe we’re at the South Pole. After so many years of planning, it doesn’t feel real. 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,” remarked Chris.

Julie added, “This has been an incredible journey, with the people we’ve met, the friends we’ve made, and the support we’ve received.”

To successfully complete their pole-to-pole expedition, the Nissan Ariya underwent modifications by Arctic Trucks, including the installation of 39-inch BF Goodrich tires and adjustments to the bodywork to suit the extreme conditions.

Despite these enhancements, the vehicle’s original all-wheel drive powertrain and battery remained unaltered, underscoring the fact that fossil fuels are not a necessity to reach some of the most remote corners of our planet.

The original article appeared on www.autocar.co.nz