In a remarkable feat, husband and wife duo Chris and Julie Ramsey recently concluded a ten-month adventure, covering a distance of over 18,641 miles (30,000 km) from the Magnetic North Pole to the South Pole in a Nissan Ariya. Nissan highlighted that this marks the first time any car, especially an electric vehicle (EV), has completed such an extensive journey.
The journey, not without challenges, was meticulously planned since 2017 when the Ramseys covered 6,214 miles (10,000 km) in a Nissan Leaf for the Mongol Rally. The Nissan Ariya underwent modifications to handle extreme terrains, featuring a rugged suspension, and 39-inch BF Goodrich tires concealed by substantial fender flares.
Nissan clarified that there were “no modifications to the powertrain or battery.” However, details about the charging experiences during the journey were not provided by the automaker.
The Ramseys addressed charging logistics on Instagram, stating, “As long as the site or building has electricity and a suitable plug socket, then we can plug in,” even resorting to unconventional locations like remote restrooms with a cord out the window. The couple utilized solar panels and an extendable wind turbine during periods away from civilization.
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Chris expressed his confidence in electric vehicles, saying, “I can’t believe we’re at the South Pole. After so many years of planning, it doesn’t feel real. I’ve always had full confidence in the amazing capabilities of electric vehicles, and I knew our Nissan Ariya would tackle everything thrown at it.” Julie echoed the sentiment, describing it as an “incredible journey.”
