Chris and Julie Ramsey, a British couple, have recently completed an incredible transcontinental journey from the North Pole to the South Pole, covering nearly 10 months and spanning 14 countries.
What made this expedition even more remarkable is that they embarked on this 30,000 km adventure with the Nissan Ariya, an electric crossover. The Nissan Ariya is the first car in the world to successfully complete this groundbreaking journey.
The idea for this trip was born in 2017, when the Ramseys completed a 10,000 km route with a Nissan Leaf in the Mongol Rally endurance race.
In order to make the Nissan Ariya electric car suitable for the harsh conditions, the Ramseys reinforced the frame and modified the undercarriage to accommodate large BF Goodrich 39-inch tires, ideal for snowy regions. However, the motor and battery specifications remained untouched.
The additional weight from equipment and luggage resulted in a reduced range of around 250 – 300 km per charge, as opposed to the theoretical range of 437 km.
While traversing through cold climate zones, the Ramseys took extra measures to protect the battery from temperature fluctuations. They covered the undercarriage and radiator with insulating snow and even set up a dedicated tent for the car to rest overnight.
For charging the car, the couple relied on any building or location with compatible charging stations. Moreover, they utilized solar energy panels on the car roof and a 5kW wind turbine in remote areas away from residential zones.
If the energy supply was insufficient, they had to rely on a generator.
Despite enduring freezing temperatures as low as -39 degrees Celsius, the couple opted not to use the heating system to conserve energy. As a result, the interior of the Nissan Ariya even froze at times, necessitating the use of an ice scraper to clear the windows for visibility.
During their journey through the Americas, the adventurous couple received support from energy companies, such as the Enel X Way in the Central and South American regions, who provided charging stations along the way.
TH (Tuoitrethudo)