Scottish couple drive electric cars from the North Pole to the South Pole

Mondo Cars Updated on 2024-01-30

Scottish adventurers Chris Ramsay and Julie Ramsay ended their journey from the North Pole nine months ago in Antarctica. Paragraph 2The 70,000-kilometer journey is extraordinary because it is done by an electric vehicle. Although the two arrived at their destination on December 15, there was a slight delay in the timing of the announcement due to a satellite connection issue.

This extraordinary journey was done by a Nissan Ariya E-4Orce electric car modified by Arctic Trucks in Iceland. Within the scope of the conversion works, 39-inch tires, compatible wheel arches and tread suitable for use on ice were installed, while the chassis of the vehicle was also strengthened. While the powertrain and suspension are basically standard, the height of the car has also increased.

The Nissan Ariya E-4ORCE has a normal range of 438 km. However, due to modification works, the range has been reduced to 241 to 322 km. During their journey in the Arctic and Antarctic regions, the Ramsays used a few tricks to keep their car's battery warm to improve efficiency. The most important of these is the use of snow walls to protect the lower and front radiators of the car from cold winds. When the weather is not too big, the whole car is covered with special tents.

Depending on the weather, the duo uses either a 5kW wind turbine or a prototype solar hybrid charging solution to power the Ariya. In environments where this is not possible, gasoline generators are used, which are essential equipment for crossing the polar regions. A diesel support vehicle also accompanied the two men on their journey. In an interview with Expedition Portal, Chris Ramsey said their goal is to demonstrate that electric vehicles can be used in polar regions instead of existing diesel exploration vehicles through a project called "Pole to Pole EV."

The Ramsays traveled between the poles of the North and South American continents. Due to the popularity of charging stations, there are no problems in North America. However, the situation is different in Central and South America. With the support of Enel X Way, a provider of charging solutions for the journey, charging stations were installed along the route, particularly in Peru. Ener Company.

Chris Ramsey and Julie Ramsey once made headlines for their passion for electric vehicles. The Scottish couple competed in the 2017 Mongolia Rally in a modified Nissan Leaf Acenta electric car and finished the race. Despite the ease of charging between the UK and Turkey, the couple had to meet their charging needs with the support of locals after leaving Turkey, driving 56 in 1 day60,000 km. Considering that the converted Leaf has a range of about 145 km, you can see what a challenging task this is. Chris Ramsey said the charging network has improved since 2017, which is gratifying.

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