Nissan Ariya has successfully crossed the equator line in Quito, Ecuador, as part of an extraordinary journey from the 1823 Magnetic North Pole to Antarctica. Spearheaded by the adventurous duo of Chris and Julie Ramsey, this ambitious pole-to-pole expedition has already covered more than 20,000 kilometers (12,427 miles).
Earlier this month, the intrepid husband-and-wife team embarked on their journey, traversing North and Central America, even taking in a Formula E race in Portland. To conquer diverse and challenging road conditions, their Nissan Ariya underwent modifications, including a lifted suspension, robust wheels, widened wheel fenders, and the addition of a roof-mounted utility unit housing a drone for capturing breathtaking views along the way.
In the United States, the Nissan Ariya is available with a starting price of $43,190. Equipped with an 87 kWh battery pack, this EV boasts an impressive range of up to 304 miles on a single charge. Furthermore, it can be fitted with Nissan’s e-4ORCE all-wheel-drive (AWD) system, which has proven crucial in tackling various terrains encountered during the Ramsey’s journey.
The ultimate goal of this expedition is to reach the South Pole in Antarctica by the end of the year. Beyond the incredible adventure, Chris and Julie Ramsey are driven by a deeper mission—to inspire and accelerate the adoption of EVs in addressing the urgent climate crisis.
Julie Ramsey expressed her sentiments about the journey, stating, “It’s been an incredible experience so far. Our Expedition Ariya captures the interest of so many people on our route, and we’ve been privileged to be hosted and helped by the kindest and most fascinating people, who all embrace the positivity and hope that Pole to Pole represents.”
Chris Ramsey emphasized the intention to push the limits of EV capabilities, saying, “I set out to really push the limits of EV and show the world just how capable and exciting they are. Our expedition Nissan Ariya has performed so well; it hasn’t let us down and it’s created so much interest from people along the way.”
In a parallel adventure, adventure travel content creator Lexie Alford has embarked on her own long-distance journey in an EV. She is circumnavigating the globe in an all-electric Explorer, traversing six continents and over 30 countries, further exemplifying the growing potential of electric vehicles in global travel.
