Nissan Ariya Embarks On Ground-Breaking Pole To Pole EV Expedition: Here’s All You Need To Know

The Nissan Ariya is well on its way to becoming the most well-known electric vehicle in the world. This is thanks to the Pole to Pole EV Expedition that is set to unfold over the next 10 months. Two customised Nissan Ariya electric SUVs will be driven over 27,500 kilometres from the Magnetic North Pole to the South Pole.

The Nissan Ariya was first introduced in 2020 as Nissan’s first electric SUV and it went into production in January 2022. It is one of the most advanced vehicles produced by Nissan and is currently on sale in the American market. While the Ariya hasn’t made its way to the Middle East yet, we can expect it to be launched in the UAE in the next couple of years.

Electric cars are certainly gaining popularity in the UAE and the number of Tesla EVs on UAE roads stands as testimony to it. Nissan also happens to be one of the more popular car manufacturers in the country and residents of the UAE generally have immense respect for Nissan’s products.

In fact, eight of the 14 Nissan products currently on sale in the UAE are all SUVs and the Nissan Ariya is the brand’s first electric SUV. All of this leads us to believe that the Nissan Ariya will make its way to the UAE sooner than later. However, before sales of the Ariya expands to other markets, the electric SUV is being pushed over and above its limits by the Pole to Pole EV Expedition team to prove its capabilities.

At the forefront of the Pole to Pole EV Expedition are Chris & Julie Ramsey, an adventurous couple. They had earlier driven their Nissan Leaf in the grueling Mongol Rally, covering over 16,000 kilometres, proving that EVs are capable vehicles. Now, with Nissan backing them, they are off on an expedition of a lifetime.

The Nissan Ariya boasts a very capable and robust drivetrain, but the glaciers and ice ridges of the Arctic required more than just a stock vehicle. This is where Artic exploration experts at Arctic Trucks stepped in and modified the Nissan Ariya. The team claims the electric motors and batteries are untouched.

However, the vehicle is now equipped with large 39-inch snow tyres from BFGoodrich and it gets a new suspension system to handle the massive tyres and give the vehicle more articulation capabilities. In addition, a few extra features have been added to the Nissan Ariya.

An espresso machine with a supply of sustainable coffee located in the boot takes care of the team’s caffeine needs on the longer legs of the drive. A utility unit/storage box on the roof brings with it some much-needed storage space and it also has a provision to launch and recover a drone to capture the scenic beauty of the variety of terrain they will drive through.

From the freezing temperatures and inhospitable conditions of the magnetic north pole, Chris and Julie will drive the Nissan Ariya into North America, entering Canada and then making their way down the continent before entering South America. The team will then drive down South America as well before hopping over to Antarctica where they will face an arduous drive to the South Pole.

This journey will see them covering over 27,500 kilometres through different terrain and varying temperatures. At the end of it all, they would have crossed 14 countries, proving the reliability of the Nissan Ariya.

As aforementioned, the powertrain of the stock Nissan Ariya is still being used. The Pole to Pole EV Expedition team is using the top-spec 87kWh e-4ORCE variant of the Nissan Ariya. It is powered by dual-electric motors, one at the front and another at the rear. The motors have a combined power output of 388bhp and a 0-100km/h acceleration time of just 5.1 seconds.

The 87kWh battery pack gives the SUV a range of around 475 kilometres. However, the massive 39-inch tyres are sure to have reduced the range and acceleration significantly. The Nissan Ariya is capable of being fast-charged and a range of 375 kilometres can be obtained in just 30 minutes of fast charging.

For the harsh and isolated arctic conditions though, the team has developed a prototype towed charging system with a foldable wind turbine and some solar panels. A backup Nissan Ariya that will be accompanying the main Nissan Ariya will tow this generator prototype.

Apart from being an adventure of a lifetime for the team involved, the Pole to Pole EV expedition is certainly to boost buyer confidence in electric vehicles and is certainly going to give more credit to the EV revolution.