Climate advocate and adventurer, Chris Ramsey, will drive the all-electric Nissan Ariya from the magnetic North Pole to the South Pole next year.
Ramsey and his team will drive the Ariya over 17,000 miles across 14 countries, from the Arctic, through North, Central and South America, before reaching Antarctica.
Ramsey, who will be the first person to embark on such a journey, said: “Our mission is to show that electric vehicles can tackle the harshest of environments… and illustrate that they can meet the demands of drivers around the world, and encourage the switch to zero-emissions transport.”
The expedition will raise awareness of the climate crisis and the critical role electric vehicles can play in reducing our carbon footprint.
The expedition has been in the works for over four years, reaching a milestone on Tuesday (23 May) with the announcement of Nissan as its official vehicle partner.
Ramsey said: “We are thrilled that Nissan has joined the expedition. As a long-term Nissan LEAF owner and driver, I’m eager to get behind the wheel of my Ariya and put it to the ultimate test on this incredible 17,000-mile journey. It is fantastic to see such an important global brand get behind Pole to Pole and its fundamental purpose – a better world for us all through smarter, more sustainable mobility.”
The all-new Nissan Ariya e-4ORCE will be put through its paces, with temperatures on the route ranging from -30⁰C to 30⁰C. With these extremes in mind, the Ariya that Ramsey will use is being modified by polar vehicle specialists, Arctic Trucks, who will also contribute expertise for planning a safe route through the most remote and hostile environments on Earth.
As well as extreme temperatures, the Nissan Ariya and its passengers will face all manner of challenging environments, from torrential rain, mud, and soaring temperatures at the equator, to the windswept altitude of the Andes.
Nissan Executive Vice President, Asako Hoshino, said: “We’re proud to announce our partnership with Chris Ramsey and the Pole to Pole expedition team. The all-new, all-electric Ariya crossover SUV enables you to go further, easier and in comfort. With e-4ORCE control technology providing enhanced stability and traction on a variety of surfaces, we know it will be the perfect partner for Chris and his team on their challenging all-electric journey.”
The expedition is designed to raise international awareness of the climate crisis and electric vehicle capability. Ramsey and his team will also make stops along the way to participate in local projects, including visiting a school that teaches children about renewable energy, and venturing into the Ecuadorian Amazon to meet a local tribe who protected their ancestral home.
Ramsey has been adventuring in electric vehicles for over a decade. In 2017 he, and his wife Julie, became the first team to complete the Mongol Rally in an all-electric vehicle. The pair drove more than 10,000 miles across 20 countries in 56 days, from the UK to Siberia in a Nissan LEAF.