Electric Grant: Nemo of Nizhny Novgorod Turns a Lada Granta Wagon into a Battery Power Vehicle
In Nizhny Novgorod, a company named Nemo has transformed a Lada Granta station wagon into an electric vehicle. The look of the car at first glance recalls past electric experiments from a decade ago, notably the early Kalina electric cars developed by AvtoVAZ, which appeared in small batches. The shell remains largely familiar, with only the exterior panels differing from the original model.
The original Granta was converted into a light commercial van by sealing the rear glass with a film. This modification signals a shift in purpose—from a passenger load carrier to a cargo-focused vehicle aimed at practical urban transport. The development is autonomous, relying on three battery blocks: two mounted under the hood and a third placed where the gas tank used to reside. The total capacity stands at 27 kWh, which, under typical summer conditions, offers roughly 150 kilometers of range when tested on older driving cycles. The system is believed to perform best under reasonable city and suburban usage, rather than peak highway runs.
The electric motor delivers about 109 horsepower. Its placement is at the front, preserving front-wheel drive, a setup that remains common among many contemporary single-motor EVs. The project team designed the vehicle with the goal of replacing the Largus bus within their ecosystem, a plan complicated by external pressures and market uncertainties. As a result, Granta was adapted into a utilitarian van, reinforcing the idea that small- to mid-size commercial vehicles can transition to electric propulsion without abandoning practical design elements such as the rear-space access that customers rely on.
The propulsion system relies on a five-speed manual transmission that was retained in the electric configuration. This approach allows the driver to operate primarily in fourth gear while using lower gears to handle heavier loads—Granta’s cargo capacity can reach up to about 400 kilograms. A heating element is included to warm the interior, and a battery thermal management system helps maintain performance and longevity in varying climates. The cargo area uses a divider borrowed from the Largus and retrofitted for the new layout, creating a practical separation between driver space and cargo without compromising the overall footprint of the vehicle.
Although still early in development, the project demonstrates that the basic layout is functional. The team has kept the familiar gasoline-oriented thinking in mind during the conversion process, acknowledging that the five-door configuration requires careful integration of the new electric components with the existing body structure. The pricing remains undetermined at this stage, but interest in Nemo’s electric Granta continues to grow, with promises of more detailed updates to come as the project progresses. Enthusiasts are encouraged to follow Nemo’s updates for deeper dives into technical specifics, performance figures, and real-world testing results.
In the broader context of vehicle conversion and electrification, the Nemo project represents a practical example of repurposing existing platforms to meet modern propulsion needs. It showcases how a compact wagon originally designed for conventional internal combustion can be adapted for electric power with careful packaging, thoughtful load handling, and a focus on reliability. The choice to preserve the five-speed transmission is notable, signaling a preference for a familiar driving feel even as the vehicle operates on electric power. This approach may appeal to operators seeking predictable handling, ease of maintenance, and cost-efficient operation in urban fleets.
As the project evolves, observers can anticipate more detailed technical disclosures, performance benchmarks, and case studies illustrating how the Nemo electric Granta behaves under different cargo loads, climates, and daily duty cycles. The initiative also invites discussion about the potential role of such conversions in regional fleets, especially in markets where new commercial EVs face price or supply constraints. Ongoing updates will shed light on the feasibility, economics, and practical viability of repurposing small family cars as affordable commercial EVs for local businesses and service providers. Marked notes from the Nemo team will help document the journey, offering an at-a-glance understanding of what it takes to convert and operate a converted vehicle in real-world conditions.