The Government of Moscow and PJSC KAMAZ signed an agreement on organizing the production of a domestic electric car and on cooperation in the development of passenger vehicles at the Moscow Automobile Plant Moskvich, a former Renault plant.

Moskvich has a long history, almost a century old.

This is one of the leading enterprises in Moscow - always, at all times.

Of course, it is a pity that today the plant is standing and not working.

Nevertheless, I consider the current period a new stage.

This is not the closure of the plant - this is a new stage in its further development.

The Moscow government regained ownership of this plant.

Now we are the owners, as it was before.

And together with our technology partner, we outlined a program for the resumption of work, now a plant called Moskvich, ”said Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin.

In mid-May, the Russian assets of the Renault Group became state property: the government of Moscow received a full stake in CJSC Renault Russia, 67.69% of AvtoVAZ shares went into the ownership of the state represented by FSUE NAMI, and the rest of the concern's securities remained with the state corporation " Rostec.

According to Sobyanin, the capital of Russia should become one of the base sites for the creation of electric motors and all components for an electric car.

“Why are we talking about an electric car and not a car with an internal combustion engine (ICE)?

Of course, internal combustion engines will be produced in the volume that is consumed, but we need to take a step forward - not to catch up, but simply to create a new model of the future.

Electric transport is still the future.

It will come in five, ten years, and we must be ready,” the mayor of the capital stated.

Already this year, SKD assembly of a car with an internal combustion engine and a fully electric car should begin.

KamAZ will take over the issue of providing the Moskvich plant with the necessary volumes of supplies of components from friendly countries.

It is expected that by the end of 2022, at least 600 vehicles will be assembled at the plant.

Partner of the analytical agency "AUTOSTAT", auto expert Igor Morzharetto positively assessed the plans of the capital's government and KamAZ to develop their own electric car.

“We need to deal with this issue.

We found ourselves in a completely new historical situation, when we need to independently (mostly) develop our auto industry.

And here is an interesting project.

At the same time, KamAZ specialists have been working in the field of electric vehicles for quite a long time, developing their own platform, on which, apparently, cars of various directions will be produced, ”said the interlocutor of RT.

Auto expert Maxim Kadakov, editor-in-chief of the Za Rulem magazine, also drew attention to the prospects for developing the production of electric vehicles.

“This is the right movement, this is the right direction of thought.

Another thing is that deciding on this does not mean making cars.

And it does not mean that it will be tomorrow, because there are many pitfalls here.

In any case, this is the development of competence and experience, real reconnaissance in battle, and not endless probing of the market, ”he explained in an interview with RT.

Also at the ceremony, slides were shown with the expected Moskvich model line, which included four crossovers and one electric car.

  • AGN "Moscow"

  • © Maxim Mishin, Press Service of the Mayor and the Government of Moscow

In addition, Sergey Kogogin, Director General of KAMAZ PJSC, recalled that the company already had a positive experience of cooperation with the city authorities.

We are talking about an electric bus, which, according to Sergei Sobyanin, is one of the best products in the world in terms of quality and price.

“And even today, despite the sanctions, we do not reduce the requirements for the level of this machine and are confident that its production will resume in full in the near future,” the Moscow city news agency quotes him.

Moscow is the largest customer and operator of electric buses in Europe.

According to the metropolitan Deptrans, 1,000 ecobuses operate on 73 city routes.

By 2023, their number will be increased to 2,000.

“All electric buses are Russian-made, they are supplied to us by PJSC KAMAZ and GAZ Group.

The cost is 30% cheaper than European counterparts.

They are serviced under a life cycle contract, the manufacturer undertakes to ensure uninterrupted access to the line of each electric bus,” said Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport Maxim Liksutov.