An ambitious expedition plans to drive a modified Nissan Ariya electric vehicle from Pole to Pole.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya could become the first car of any type to be driven from the North Pole to the South Pole – and it’s electric.
Japanese car maker Nissan has announced plans to drive a modified version of its upcoming Ariya electric SUV in a Pole to Pole expedition in early 2023.
It’s expected British adventurer Chris Ramsey and the Nissan Ariya will endure temperatures ranging from -30 degrees to +30 degrees Celcius.
It is unclear how the Nissan electric car will be recharged along the route. But in truly remote regions it may need to rely on a generator on the back of a truck that would form part of the convoy.
“Our mission is to show that electric vehicles can tackle the harshest of environments – from the bitter cold of the poles to the hot and humid jungles of South America, and illustrate that they are exhilarating to drive whilst meeting the daily demands of drivers around the world,” he said at the announcement.
It’s not the first time Ramsey has taken a battery-powered Nissan into challenging environments.
In 2019, he and his wife Julie became the first team to complete the Mongol Rally in an electric vehicle, travelling 16,000km in a Nissan Leaf.
Unlike the Leaf, the Ariya uses dual electric motors to deliver a total of 290kW to all four wheels, with the Pole to Pole car expected to use the larger 87kWh battery pack for increased range.
While the standard Ariya will offer around 500km of driving range when it goes on sale, Ramsey’s vehicle will be modified with off-road tyres, suspension, and a rugged exterior – all of which is designed for off-road capability, rather than on-road effiency.
The Pole to Pole expedition plans to depart in March 2023, travelling 27,000km through North, Central, and South America before making the crossing to Antarctica.
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