The Kaliningrad Avtotor plant is pursuing an ambitious program to re-motorize a broad range of used passenger cars by swapping out legacy internal combustion engines for electric propulsion. This initiative was discussed publicly during the MIMS Automobility event in Moscow, with statements attributed to Alexander Sorokin, who leads Avtotor Holding. The company’s press service confirmed the remarks, underscoring a strategic shift toward electrification as part of Avtotor’s broader modernization plan.
In public remarks, Sorokin outlined a plan to develop a family of six electric motors with power ratings spanning from 23 kW to 120 kW (approximately 31 to 163 horsepower). The intent is to create a scalable assortment that covers compact city cars through light passenger vehicles, enabling remotorization of a significant portion of the existing car stock while maintaining efficiency and reliability across different vehicle platforms.
Avtotor has identified Rosatom, the state nuclear corporation, as a key partner in this venture. Rosatom is actively developing a 150 kW motor, and the two organizations envisage a collaborative ecosystem in which their respective electric propulsion technologies complement one another. The collaboration is designed to extend beyond the motor itself to include inverters that Rosatom has designed and produced within a relatively short timeframe. According to Avtotor, Rosatom’s engine would be installed on an Atom electric vehicle, while Avtotor’s motors would be integrated into its own product lines and offered to other customers as well. This dual-track approach aims to accelerate the availability of robust, high-performance propulsion options for the growing electric-vehicle market.
The Kaliningrad region has been proposed as a pilot site for implementing the remotorization program. Industry observers note that more than 60 percent of vehicles in the regional fleet are aged over ten years, a statistic that suggests strong demand for modernized propulsion options. Avtotor has completed the construction of a dedicated facility for electric-vehicle production in Kaliningrad and is positioned to commence pilot mass production by the end of 2023, with plans to begin manufacturing electric motors in the following year. The emphasis on regional pilots aligns with national goals to expand domestic EV manufacturing capability and to support a transition toward electrified mobility across multiple vehicle segments. These developments indicate a broader strategy to provide affordable, locally produced propulsion solutions that can be deployed across a range of models in both regional and partner networks.
While the company has previously highlighted the potential for converting foreign-made vehicles to electric drive, the current emphasis remains on establishing a robust domestic supply chain for motors and power electronics, and on validating performance in real-world remotorization scenarios. As Avtotor advances its Kaliningrad program, industry watchers will be watching closely to see how the combined offerings from Avtotor and Rosatom influence the pace and cost of remotorization projects, and how these efforts may shape the European and North American markets for retrofitted electric vehicles. [citation: Avtotor press service, MIMS Automobility Moscow coverage]