British couple Chris and Julie Ramsey will make history next year, as they will become the first people in the world to ever drive from the magnetic North to South Poles. No person or vehicle has ever completed this epic journey, and the Aberdeen pair will do so under electric power in an all-electric Nissan Ariya.
EV Adventurer Chris Ramsey announced the historic expedition earlier this year, and it has been confirmed today that his wife Julie Ramsey will join him on the eight month journey as co-driver and navigator.
Departing in March 2023, the couple will travel over 17,000 miles spanning 14 countries from the Arctic through to North, Central and South America, before finally crossing to Antarctica. The expedition will raise awareness of the Climate Crisis and the critical role electric vehicles can play in reducing our carbon footprint.
This is not their first electric expedition. In 2017, they became the first team to complete the famous Mongol Rally in an all-electric vehicle, traveling over 10,000 miles through 20 countries in 56 days, driving from the UK to Siberia behind the wheel of their Nissan LEAF.
Continuing their partnership with the Japanese automaker, Chris and Julie will explore the world’s most extreme, yet beautiful, terrains in the all-new Nissan Ariya. With predicted temperatures ranging from -30⁰C to 30⁰C, the daring venture will demonstrate just how powerful, fun and exciting electric vehicles can be.
Julie Ramsey said: “I am so excited to finally share that I will accompany Chris on this history-making adventure as co-driver and navigator. I understand this is going to be an extremely tough challenge to complete mentally, emotionally and physically. What inspires and excites me are the legacy projects that will unfold from completing the expedition, for example the electrification of polar expedition vehicles, expansion of electric charging infrastructure across the Americas and supporting conservation projects. I am so looking forward to meeting people on the journey, learning from their culture and the inspiring ways they are tackling the challenges of the Climate Crisis in their own communities.”
In preparation for the brutal Arctic and Antarctic conditions, Chris and Julie’s expedition Nissan Ariya will undergo minor modifications and be equipped by Arctic Trucks, a renowned specialist in polar vehicles. In addition, where no charging infrastructure exists in polar regions, portable wind and solar technology developed by British engineers will be deployed to create a “micro grid” for the expedition crew.
Chris Ramsey said: “While the scale of this expedition is vast, and the journey long, at the heart of this journey are normal, everyday people, in production electric cars, and that’s what excites me most. I couldn’t do this journey without Julie by my side. From completing the Mongol Rally together, I know just how bold and resilient she is as a person and can overcome any hurdle put in her way. Julie has been a huge inspiration for me and will bring even more positivity to the expedition team. We’re both passionate about climate action, and this will be a great way for us to spread the message on how people can make simple changes to their everyday lives to tackle the Climate Crisis and help protect this fragile planet.”
“It’ll be a fun and extreme test of technology, human endurance, and our marriage. We can’t wait”
