Nissan Motor Corporation has unveiled an adventure-ready version of the new Ariya electric SUV to take on the world's first-ever Pole-to-pole electric adventure which will be carried out by a team of husband and wife to showcase EV's capability and highlight positive actions towards climate change. The couple will undertake a 27,000km trip from the magnetic North Pole to the South Pole, set amongst Arctic-like conditions.

Modifications on the Nissan Ariya for the expedition

The expedition will be flagged off in March, and Ariya will have to tackle extreme terrains and environments which include ice fields, deep snow, steep mountain climbs and inhospitable desert dunes. Arctic Trucks, specialists in polar expedition vehicles, have collaborated with Nissan design and engineering teams to prepare the Ariya for these tough and challenging conditions
The car has been minimally tuned, Nissan Motor has given a new set of suspension along with 39-inch chunky tyres but the battery and powertrain remain unchanged. The car also uses the latest e-4ORCE, Nissan’s advanced electric all-wheel-control technology. These modifications will improve Ariya's capabilities and will give Chris and Julie the required comfort and command to reach the South Pole while enabling the expedition car to manage extremely challenging landscapes.
Chris being a coffee lover, will get access to a specially integrated espresso machine with a supply of sustainable coffee available in the Ariya, the caffeine will help him get refreshed and focus in distant and secluded stretches of the trip. The Ariya also gets a drone that can launch directly from the utility unit on the roof and will help the couple capture the amazing views of the spectacular environments throughout the trip.
Another additional innovation is the portable renewable energy unit which will be used to charge the Ariya during the expedition, in the polar regions. Whenever Chris and Julie stop to rest or need a break, they can use portable lightweight wind turbines and solar panels that will take advantage of high winds and long daylight hours to provide charge for the EV’s battery. The availability of this technology for future EVs will add more power to the idea of sustainable mobility on a global level.

From the Driver And Co-driver team

Chris Ramsey, Pole to Pole EV Expedition Leader said, “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. 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 tyres. 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!”
Julie Ramsey, co-driver on Pole to Pole said, "The planning and preparation for Pole to Pole has been such a big part of our lives over the past four years so I am really looking forward to getting the expedition underway in March. We’re going to discover so many interesting initiatives from communities and individuals who are taking positive action against climate change and I’m looking forward to sharing these experiences and stories with everyone. We are doing something that has never been attempted before, a world-first, and ultimately that is what makes it so exciting.”