The Nissan Ariya AT39, the first EV constructed by world-leading extreme vehicle specialists, Arctic Trucks, will embark on a 17,000-mile trip from the magnetic North pole to the South pole.
British adventurers Chris and Julie Ramsey will undertake the ten-month journey, taking them through 14 countries, starting on March 23, 2023, Arctic Trucks wrote in a statement.
The Ariya AT39 is a professionally re-engineered high mobility platform that balances the performance and efficiency of Nissan’s electric vehicle architecture with adaptations and enhancements to the body, suspension, steering, wheels, brakes, and more, the statement noted.
According to the statement, key features of the vehicle include: Arctic Trucks re-engineering, BFGoodrich KO2 All-Terrain tires, Arctic Trucks strengthened underbody armour, and multiple Arctic Trucks hitches.
Commenting on the development founder of Arctic Trucks, Emil Grímsson, said: “For over 25 years we have specialised in providing logistical support, engineering expertise and expedition planning for projects in both polar regions.
“Our vehicles have proven over five times more fuel efficient than traditional alternatives and we are continually looking for further improvements. We acknowledge that battery-based electric vehicles have important hurdles to overcome for use in the extreme cold, a challenge for which we are excited to be a part of developing solutions.”
He explained, “The polar regions are very important to us all for a variety of reasons, so operations there will only increase. This project will provide important information about how we develop our future vehicles. We’re very excited to be working alongside Chris and his team to offer our support to this timely and unique adventure.”
Arctic Trucks are providing key consultation, route planning, and logistical support for the expedition, with a focus on the polar extremes. The expedition will provide important information about how vehicles can be developed for use in the polar regions and will demonstrate the real, everyday capabilities of EVs.
Chris Ramsey, Pole to Pole EV Expedition Leader,said, “One of the things that underpins all the adventures we do is that we take a standard production EV and aim to make minimal changes to clearly demonstrate its real, everyday capabilities, regardless of where you are driving it.
“Our Nissan Ariya is no different as the vehicle’s drivetrain and battery has remained factory standard, demonstrating just how capable and versatile the production Ariya is. I’m incredibly excited to get behind the wheel of what was already a brilliant vehicle, but now feels equipped to reach the ends of the earth in style!”
Arctic Trucks claims that it is continuously pushing the boundaries in re-engineering the world’s best 4×4 vehicles to provide you with the same driving experience no matter what your adventure requires.
For over 20 years, Arctic Trucks have been breaking barriers worldwide. Whether at the extremes of the Arctic, performing in the countryside, or driving in the city, their vehicles give drivers the freedom to explore. Globally based in 11 locations, the first base in the entirety of Asia is in the United Arab Emirates, Dubai.