Follow the Nissan Ariya on Desert Patrol

The true test of an electric vehicle is how it fares in extreme climates. When it gets really hot or cold, the battery has to work very hard to maintain a state of charge to avert degradation over time, requiring both cooling and heating to keep healthy. At Nissan’s Arizona Testing Center (ATC), EVs drive around in temperatures over 115 degrees Fahrenheit. Engineers check for battery reliability and drive components in these conditions.  

Recently Nissan deployed ten Ariyas to serve as security vehicles for its ATC. The EVs replaced a fleet of Armadas and Frontiers towards cutting down emissions, fuel, and maintenance costs. The Ariyas also served the purpose of high-mileage testing, measuring battery life and vehicle reliability.  

The Ariya fleet consisted of dual-motor models with the e-4ORCE all-wheel-drive system. To handle the terrain at the testing center, each Ariya was equipped with off-road tires, a roof rack, and auxiliary lighting. They also wore decals identifying themselves as site security.  

On average, each Ariya racked up around 30,000 miles during the first year of deployment at the testing center. They drove on rough surfaces, from gravel to washboard trails. Arizona is also prone to extreme monsoon weather. When the storms come through, these same rough roads turn into mud.  

The Ariya fleet served to escort test vehicles, conduct driver training, and various other tasks. They were the first vehicles visitors saw upon arrival at the testing center. Nissan wanted to make sure that anyone who saw the Ariyas at work knew that they served as a “statement of our dedication to sustainability,” according to the team at Nissan. 

The company’s commitment extends to how the Ariya fleet was parked when not in use. Nissan is building solar panels in the lot to provide shade for these vehicles and to offset the use of electricity from the grid. They are also installing Level 2 chargers on site for both the fleet and Nissan site staff who drive EVs.  

The result was that each Ariya met its challenges without any problems. The security staff at the testing center was equally impressed with their prowess and reliability. As the program director of the security fleet said, the Ariyas were served a diet of “dirt and fast charging.” 

When it comes to EVs, Nissan puts in hours and miles to ensure that each one is reliable and dependable every time you take it for a drive. Taking the experience from the Ariya fleet at the Arizona Testing Center, you can be assured that your next EV will handle anything that our climate will throw at it.  

Why not put the 2025 Ariya to the test at Dick Smith Nissan of Columbia? Contact us to schedule your test drive in any weather. Each Ariya comes with the Dick Smith Advantage.