Nissan Uses Ariya EVs for Its Test Facility Security, Gathering 30,000 Miles of Rough Desert Each Year

So maybe your thoughts about electric vehicles are something along the lines of: “Oh, they’re probably fine for taking people to work and back or getting groceries. But if things get too rough or rugged, you want a tough vehicle with a good old internal combustion engine.” Nissan challenged that notion two years ago by assigning two Ariya models for security duty around its Arizona Testing Center in the Sonoran Desert. Dick Smith Nissan of St. Andrews tells you the story of these hard-working EVs. 

Nissan’s Arizona Testing Center (ATC) spans 3,050 acres of rugged desert terrain in Stanfield, Arizona, just a few miles south of the Phoenix metropolitan area. Local residents often say that summer temperatures exceeding 115 degrees Fahrenheit are common. The security requirements are high, as the center houses expensive testing equipment and several vehicles, including those not yet intended for public view. Very little of the security vehicle’s time is spent on paved surfaces. 

“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,” explained Owen Thunes, senior manager of Test Operations at ATC. “After a monsoon, some of these access roads turn into a mud bog, creating an even tougher challenge.” 

Prior to 2023, ATC security used an Armada and Frontier to patrol the grounds. These were replaced by two Ariyas, one of which was modified with burly off-road tires, a roof rack, and auxiliary lighting. Each Ariya model racked up over 30,000 miles in the first year of service. “These vehicles are in near-constant operation, including significant idling time, making the Ariya ideal for reducing fuel costs and eliminating tailpipe emissions,” says Thunes. 

The Ariya models have also received approval from the security staff who drive them. “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 security vehicles are just two of the ten Ariyas that ATC uses as support vehicles for its testing activities. Thunes says, “We are committed to reducing carbon dioxide generation wherever possible. 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.”  

Thunes also points out that the Ariya models require essentially no drivetrain maintenance, which is music to the ears of anyone managing a fleet of vehicles.  

Vehicles capable of handling this kind of assignment can be expected to meet your transportation needs with ease. Perhaps it’s time to replace your gas-powered model with an EV for its efficiency, power, advanced technology, and environmental benefits, making the Nissan Ariya an excellent choice. Visit Dick Smith Nissan of St. Andrews for a test drive of the sophisticated and highly capable Nissan Ariya EV.