Nissan Ariya EV completes pole-to-pole arctic adventure

Nissan has announced that a modified 2023 Nissan Ariya has become the first electric car to journey the 30,000km drive from the Magnetic North Pole to the South Pole.

Taking more than 10 months to complete, with Chris and Julie Ramsey behind the wheel, the adventure began on the frozen Arctic Sea before the Ariya travelled down through North, Central and South America traversing some of the most remote terrains on the planet to reach the South Pole.

Nissan said it’s the first time any car, let alone an EV, has completed the journey.

The EV was modified by legendary off-road experts Arctic Trucks, which added a high-lift suspension kit, new wheels and huge 39-inch BFGoodrich tyres.

The Japanese car-maker says both the powertrain (including the battery) and the e-4ORCE all-wheel drive system were not modified for the epic drive.

That means the Ariya came equipped with dual e-motors that pushed out a total of 290kW and 600Nm of torque.

Not disclosed was the effect the big wheel and tyre combination and bluffer aerodynamics took on the standard Ariya’s 459km range (with the 87kWh battery fitted).

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

“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.”

Battling the elements in the final few days in minus-23-degree Celsius temperatures, the Ramseys piled snow up against the front of the Ariya every evening to protect the underside of the car and radiator from the high winds that reduced the temperature to as low as -34C.

Once out in the sub-zero arctic fields, the Ariya’s battery was topped up using wind turbines, solar and a traditional combustion-fired generator.

After significant delays, Nissan’s battery-electric mid-size SUV is expected to finally arrive Down Under in 2024, more than two years since carsales first drove it in Europe, but a launch date is still to be confirmed.

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