Video: Pole to Pole in an EV

Electric adventurer Chris Ramsey aims to the first person to drive from Pole to Pole – planning the trip in late 2022 in an EV to raise awareness of climate change and the role that electric cars can play in reducing our carbon footprint.

The expedition will cover about 27,359km across 14 countries and three continents in around 120 days from the South Pole, through South America and North America to the finish line at magnetic North.

Ramsey believes it is the ideal way to highlight what EVs are capable of – even in the most extreme climates.

“Our mission is to show that electric vehicles can tackle the harshest of environments – from the colds of the Poles (minus 30 degrees celsius) to the hot and humid jungles of South America (28 degrees Celsius),” Ramsey says.

“This is the ultimate test of range and durability, and by overcoming these obstacles we aim to prove that EV adoption is a possibility for everyone, while also raising awareness of sustainable lifestyles, conservation projects and renewable energy innovation along our route.”

The Briton is a multiple record holder – in 2017, he and wife Julie became the first team to complete the Mongol Rally in an EV, travelling more than 16,093km through 20 countries in 56 days driving from Goodwood Racing Circuit in the United Kingdom to Siberia.

Ramsey has a Guinness World Record for the longest distance travelled on an e-bike in 12 hours, covering 286.15km.

The “Pole to Pole Project” is being supported by Iceland-based Arctic Trucks, a specialist in polar regions. The team is preparing the expedition vehicles, providing logistic support as well as establishing routes to drive in Antarctica and the Arctic.

Arctic Trucks prepared the Toyota Hilux driven by Top Gear’s James May and Jeremy Clarkson to the North Pole in 2007, the company chairman Emil Grimsson saying it has provided logistical support, engineering expertise and expedition planning for projects in both polar regions for about 20 years.

“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.”

Grimsson says the project will provide important information about developing future vehicles.

The average CO2 emissions of cars sold in the UK has risen year-on-year for the past three years, putting the country’s climate targets – as well as public health – at risk.

Those involved with the Pole to Pole Project says EV adoption will be crucial to achieving the UK’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 68% by the end of the decade compared to 1990 levels.

Using EVs instead of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles for the adventure is expected to save about 29 metric tonnes of CO2.

More details about the Pole to Pole Project will be announced in due course, including the official renewable energy charging partner.