The Hunter electric SUV, a collaboration between UAZ and the Czech company MW Motors, was never intended to be a small run in the lab. The plan called for a first batch to roll out in February 2022, with sales envisioned across Europe and Russia. Yet sanctions cast a long shadow, delaying the project according to a report from Gazeta.ru that cites a source within the Sollers group, the owner of UAZ.
The pre-production model was shown to media audiences in a test-drive format in September 2021. Initially, MW Motors developed the concept for a British mining client, but as certification work progressed and with technical input from UAZ, the idea took a turn toward refinement and a shift of the project to Russian shores.
The electric powertrain of the prototype SUV delivered 120 kW, drawing energy from three traction batteries placed in the rear cargo area where conventional fuel tanks would normally reside. The five-speed transmission and the rest of the chassis elements remained unchanged. Official claims put the Hunter’s range at 262 kilometers on a single charge. The European price point was projected to start around 40 thousand euros.
Should the electric Hunter gain traction in the market, it could pave the way for a broader family of electrified UAZ models, potentially including the Patriot flagship and the Profi cargo variant. Industry observers note that achieving this vision would hinge on state support within Russia and alignment with an electric vehicle development program announced by the Ministry of Economic Development. To date, such backing has not materialized.
- UAZ is actively shaping a new development strategy to guide the next phase of its electric ambitions.
- Details and updates from this project can be found on Odnoklassniki under the tag Behind the Wheel.
In broader context, the Hunter represents a strategic move to diversify the brand’s lineup beyond traditional internal combustion engines and to explore an electric future in a market where policy incentives and infrastructure are evolving. Analysts emphasize that progress depends not only on engineering success but also on regulatory support, supplier readiness, and the availability of charging networks that can support longer trips and commercial deployments. The dialogue around this project continues as manufacturers weigh the cost and benefit of electrification against Russia’s domestic market realities and the broader European energy landscape. The project’s trajectory remains a live topic of discussion among industry insiders and regional observers who track how sanctions, sanctions-related supply chain disruptions, and policy initiatives shape the pace of electrification in the near term. Sources aligned with UAZ and MW Motors indicate ongoing assessment of opportunities and constraints as the corporate strategy adapts to a shifting global context. A real-world outcome will depend on coordinated actions across government and industry players, along with sustained investor confidence and customer demand. This evolving story illustrates how regional automakers navigate technology transitions while balancing local capabilities with international partnerships. The evolving status of the Hunter project continues to be monitored by automotive commentators and industry watchers who aim to understand how such collaborations influence the future of electric mobility in Russia and beyond. The latest commentary from industry outlets and corporate briefings remains consistent in underscoring a cautious, incremental path toward electrification for UAZ and its partners. In the meantime, the company is pursuing its revised development framework as it prepares for the next phase of product strategy and potential market introduction. The project, while paused, continues to inform the strategic direction of the brand and its approach to electrification in a challenging economic and regulatory environment. The broader question remains how quickly such initiatives can translate into on-road realities and sustained sales in the competitive, policy-driven arena of modern electric vehicles.