In the long view, AvtoVAZ aims to roll out a new electric vehicle, as stated by Maxim Sokolov, the chief executive of the carmaker. He emphasized that this initiative is not meant to spark rivalry with KAMAZ, which is pursuing its own path in parallel. The key point, he noted, is that state support will be reserved for highly localized producers that have signed formal agreements with the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
“Over the long term, our strategy centers on creating an electric vehicle. The exact form it will take, whether it evolves into a hybrid or a fully electric model, will likely shape the future direction of electric mobility globally. We must align with global trends, and that includes the possibility that some partners may choose not to engage with AVTOVAZ,” he explained in an interview with Izvestia.
Meanwhile, Sokolov pointed out that the traditional internal combustion engine still holds promise, at least for the next ten years, and the Lada brand will continue to develop around this conventional technology. This approach signals a gradual transition rather than an abrupt shift, with a clear plan to modernize existing platforms while exploring new propulsion options.
He also did not dismiss the potential to produce electric scooters as a secondary line, especially given that the factory already manufactures electric unmanned carts for internal logistics. The message was clear: the company should not foreclose any strategic opportunity that could improve efficiency or explore new markets.
It is worth recalling that AVTOVAZ has previously explored electric propulsion with a model known as ELLada, created during Igor Komarov’s tenure in 2011. This electric car relied on a chassis derived from the Kalina platform and is widely regarded as outdated by today’s standards. A pilot batch of 100 units was produced before the project stalled, and the car was priced at what was then a significant sum of around 960 thousand rubles. Reports indicate that copies of the vehicle were reportedly owned by influential figures, including the head of Rostec, Sergey Chemezov, as well as a prominent business leader from Jordan and the minister of industry and trade, Denis Manturov.