Deep in the desert south of Phoenix lies Nissan’s Arizona Testing Center (ATC). Here, summer temperatures regularly exceed 115 degrees Fahrenheit, offering the ultimate proving ground for reliability.
Security at ATC is no small task. As a key future vehicle testing location with more than 3,000 rugged acres to monitor, not every vehicle is designed to handle the challenge. To meet these demands, ATC leaders turned to the all-electric Nissan Ariya SUV.
“These vehicles are in near-constant operation, including significant idling time, making the Ariya ideal for reducing fuel costs and eliminating tailpipe emissions,” explained Owen Thunes, senior manager of Test Operations at ATC.
ATC replaced its Nissan Armada and Frontier security vehicles with two Ariya models in fall 2023. One is lightly modified, sporting beefy off-road tires, a roof rack, auxiliary lighting and decals. In their first year of service, they racked up more than 30,000 miles each. These were not easy miles. But thanks to Ariya’s e-4ORCE all-wheel-drive system, it proved more than capable of tackling the rough terrain.
“ATC has a large portion of its property operated as a farm, which means the vehicles are continuously driving on dirt and gravel paths with ruts and washboard,” Thunes explained. “After a monsoon, some of these access roads turn into a mud bog, creating an even tougher challenge.”
Despite the demanding conditions, Ariya tackled the challenges with ease.
“It has thrived on a steady diet of nothing but dirt and fast charging,” Thunes said.
ATC security staff, the people who spend the most time in the vehicles, have also been impressed.
“These vehicles handle virtually everything we throw at them — from rugged terrain to extreme heat — without any issues,” said Dakota Repass, who works on the ATC security team.
The Ariya fleet at ATC extends beyond security, with 10 SUVs supporting driver training and other operations.
“We are committed to reducing carbon dioxide generation wherever possible,” Thunes said. “We are installing level-2 charging on site for our staff who drive EVs. To help offset the increase in electrical consumption from the utility grid, we are putting solar panels over the parking lot. The shade from the solar panels will also help reduce energy consumption by keeping parked vehicles cooler.”
He said the Ariya security vehicles are often the first thing visitors see when they arrive at the facility.
“They serve as a statement of our dedication to sustainability,” he said.
By aligning with ATC’s sustainability goals, and those of Nissan overall, the Ariya fleet showcases how Nissan EVs excel in situations that demand durability and capability.
“It proves that an EV can be used in most applications, and is a great fit here because it has zero tailpipe emissions and requires less maintenance than an ICE vehicle,” Thunes said.
