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One couple set out to prove that electric vehicles are just as capable as traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. So, they jumped in a Nissan Ariya and drove it from the North Pole down to the South Pole. See how well the Nissan Ariya did over 20,000 miles and various terrain conditions. 

The Nissan Ariya masters winter conditions and road trips 

The 2023 Nissan Ariya driving in snow
2023 Nissan Ariya | Nissan

Chris and Julie Ramsey are a pair of Scottish adventurers and EV enthusiasts set out on a mission to prove that their Nissan Ariya is just as reliable as a traditional vehicle. 

So, they took a massive road trip from the Arctic Circle near the North Pole down through North and South America to the South Pole. 

Through big cities, frozen mountain roads, and tiny communities, they hope to inspire other adventures and drivers to consider EVs. 

This adventure took nine months as they covered 20,000 miles. Before this trip, their longest adventure was 10,000 miles in the Mongol Rally, spanning the United Kingdom to Siberia. 

But the Nissan Ariya did require mods to handle the treacherous snowy conditions. It got suspension upgrades and 39-inch tires to conquer Arctic snow. Chris also got an espresso machine installed. The battery and powertrain weren’t touched. 

How the heavier tires and suspension impacted the Ariya’s range is unclear. But it has between 265 and 304 miles of range, depending on the model you choose. 

Some South American countries and cities lacked charging infrastructure. So, they teamed up with Enel X to install charging networks in countries with gaps like Chile, Peru, Ecuador, and Columbia. 

In some remote locations, the couple had to use a gas generator to recharge their EV. Range anxiety was the biggest issue during the trip, causing them to constantly watch charge levels. 

Aside from range anxiety, the Ariya didn’t have any issues. It even operated at temperatures around -50 degrees. Other EVs are prone to losing range in cold temperatures. 

Also, the Nissan Ariya traversed sections of deep snow, slush, slippery ice, and hidden snowbanks without getting stuck. 

When areas couldn’t be crossed due to large bodies of water, the couple either flew or took a ferry. The trip from their final base camp to the South Pole was 700 miles. 

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Staff Writer

Allison Barfield

Allison Barfield joined MotorBiscuit in 2020 and covers all things trucks, SUVs, and Jeeps. Having grown up on a farm in Rock Hill, South Carolina, she’s no stranger to the “Best in Class” truck and SUV debates; people in her hometown were always gathering to help work on vehicles together, and deliberation would naturally arise.

Allison graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Media Arts. She has helped bring awareness to issues Women In Trucking face and has promoted Truckers Against Trafficking, an anti-trafficking NGO.

A fan of creatively dark literature, Allison appreciates the works of Shirley Jackson and Emily Dickenson. She lives in a mountainous area of the country and enjoys off-roading and camping. Her dog, Bruce, often joins her in testing trucks and SUVs for our site.