Nissan Ariya With Pole-To-Pole Mission Reaches 12,427-Mile Milestone

Sep. 24, 2023 3:39 PM ET by Rex Sanchez Electric Vehicles / 6 Comments

The EV has just crossed the equator located in Ecuador.

Amid the skepticism about long-distance driving in electric vehicles, a Nissan Ariya has just crossed the equator line in Quito, Ecuador, on its way to Antarctica from the 1823 Magnetic North Pole. This means the ambitious pole-to-pole trip - spearheaded by husband and wife Chris and Julie Ramsey - has already traveled more than 20,000 km (12,427 miles).

The husband-and-wife duo traversed North and Central America earlier this month, where the two saw a Formula E race in Portland. To help conquer varying road conditions, the Ariya is modified with lifted suspension, beefier wheels, wider wheel fenders, and a roof-mounted utility unit for a drone that captures stunning views.

In the US, Nissan is selling the stock Ariya with a starting price of $43,190. With an 87 kWh battery pack onboard, the EV can run up to 304 miles on a single charge. It is also available with the brand's e-4ORCE all-wheel-drive (AWD) system, which enables the Ramseys to tackle challenging terrains.

The goal is to reach the end destination at the South Pole in Antarctica by the end of the year. Moreover, the couple hopes to encourage the faster adoption of EVs to address the climate crisis.

"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," said Julie.

"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," said Chris.

Aside from Chris and Julie, Adventure travel content creator Lexie Alford has also set out on a long-distance adventure in an EV. She is going around the world in the all-electric Explorer, traversing six continents and over 30 countries.