Couple finish pole-to-pole electric car challenge

Chris and Julie Ramsey have finally completed their journey after setting off in March

A husband and wife from Aberdeen have made history after completing a "really tough" mission to drive from the Arctic to Antarctica in an electric car.

Chris and Julie Ramsey set off in March for the Magnetic North to South Pole adventure.

Their vehicle was powered for much of the journey of more than 18,000 miles (30,000km) by solar and wind energy. It is believed to be the first time any car has completed such a journey.

Posting on social media, the couple said that after a “testing” final leg of their expedition in Antarctica they had now reached the South Pole.

They said seeing polar bears was something they would also treasure, while coping with issues such as frozen eyelashes.

They had started by navigating into Canada, then heading south through the United States and into warmer temperatures in South America over the space of 10 challenging months.

Once communication was possible, they were able to post on Monday that they had finished the mission on Friday.

“I can’t believe we’re at the South Pole," Mr Ramsey said.

The couple braved freezing temperatures during the adventure

He explained: "After so many years of planning, it doesn’t feel real. I’ve always had full confidence in the amazing capabilities of electric vehicles.

"But it’s been far tougher than I anticipated. It's tough out here, really tough. It makes reaching the finish line that more worthwhile. We are delighted to have successfully reached the South Pole. We have made history."

His wife added: "This has been an incredible journey, with the people we’ve met, the friends we’ve made and the support we’ve received."

The route was:

• 1823 Magnetic North Pole, Arctic

• Canada

• USA

• Mexico

• Guatemala

• El Salvador

• Honduras

• Nicaragua

• Costa Rica

• Panama

• Colombia

• Ecuador

• Peru

• Chile

• Argentina

• Antarctica

• South Pole, Antarctica

The couple were able to use electric power charging points on the route.

But for the polar regions where there was no electricity source, a wind turbine and solar device allowed them to harness the wind and the sun to power the car.

The summer season in the Arctic let them benefit from the sun, and in Antarctica the expedition season was December, with 24/7 daylight.

Local delicacy

The couple are no stranger to defying the odds.

In 2017, they were the first team to complete the Mongol Rally in an electric car - a 10,000-mile (16,000km) journey from London to Mongolia.

They said that had given them confidence for this challenge, which was done in a Nissan Ariya.

Large tyres were fitted to the vehicle to cope with the harsh terrain.

And coming from Aberdeen, they took supplies of the humble buttery - the famous long-lasting local delicacy made of lard, butter and sugar, which is also known as a rowie or Aberdeen roll - to help keep their energy up.