British adventurer Chris Ramsey is to undertake a world first journey in the Nissan Ariya all-electric crossover SUV, driving from the magnetic North Pole to the South Pole.
Set to depart in March 2023, Ramsey and his team will take off in a Nissan Ariya e-4ORCE to tackle the journey of over 27,000 kilometres, which will take him across several regions and continents with temperatures ranging from -30⁰C to 30⁰C.
According to Nissan and Ramsey, he “will be the first person to drive from pole to pole in a vehicle of any type”.
The trip is designed to raise awareness of climate change and the role that electric cars can play in reducing humanity’s carbon footprint.
“Our mission is to show that electric vehicles can tackle the harshest of environments – from the colds of the Poles, to the hot and humid jungles of South America,” said Ramsey.
“This is the ultimate test of range and durability, and by overcoming these obstacles we aim to prove that EV adoption is a possibility for everyone, while also raising awareness of sustainable lifestyles, conservation projects and renewable energy innovation along our route.”
“For some people climate change can feel like an issue that is too big for them to have an impact on, but with road vehicles accounting for more than 20% of all harmful emissions worldwide, the switch to electric cars powered by renewable energy could dramatically reduce our carbon footprint.”
Travelling across 14 countries and starting in the freezing Arctic, Ramsey’s expedition Nissan Ariya e-4ORCE will unsurprisingly be modified with a custom rugged exterior including upgraded wheels, tires, and suspension.
Ramsey will also be followed by a second but unmodified Nissan Ariya e-4ORCE for his drive through the Americas.
“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,” said Chris Ramsey.
It will be interesting to watch Ramsey’s journey and how it differs from previous such Pole to Pole challenges – such as that undertaken by Monty Python member Michael Palin in his early-90s television documentary.
We know at least one difference between the two journeys is that Ramsey will be taking the route down through the Americas – whereas Palin headed down through Russia and Turkey, and then down through Africa, before he was forced to abandon his original plans to avoid flight wherever possible and made the last stops of his journey to the South Pole via Chile.
Keyword: Nissan Ariya to undertake “world first” pole to pole electric vehicle trip