The Moscow City Duma has approved a renovation plan for the parking area in front of the city hall and has begun replacing foreign-made vehicles in that area with Moskvich 3 crossovers. This update was communicated by the council’s chairman, Alexei Shaposhnikov, according to reports from RIA News. The move reflects a broader policy discussion around modernizing the city’s official transport options and aligning them with local manufacturing initiatives.
Support for the draft appeal originated from deputy Sergei Mitrokhin and was directed to Mayor Sergei Sobyanin. The aim is to refresh the vehicle fleet while coordinating the financing through the city budget for 2024. In the official briefing, it was noted that a clear majority of Moscow City Duma members voted in favor of advancing this proposal, signaling broad legislative backing for the planned fleet update.
Among the models discussed is the Moskvich 3e, an electric crossover delivering 193 horsepower. The estimated market price for this electric variant stands at around 3.5 million rubles. Additionally, the Moskvich 3 with a 1.5-liter gasoline turbo engine, rated at 150 horsepower, carries an approximate price tag of 1.97 million rubles. These figures illustrate the range of options considered as part of the modernization effort and the balance between electric and conventional powertrains in the council’s planning.
Reports indicate that Moskvich 3 crossovers have already entered the city’s fleet in various roles, including the traffic police division and taxi services. There are also indications that a contract has been finalized or is close to finalization for supplying around 2,000 electric vehicles to taxi and car-sharing platforms, underscoring a broader push to integrate locally manufactured vehicles into essential urban mobility services and public-facing operations. These steps are being followed with attention to budgetary planning, fleet maintenance, and the long-term implications for urban transport in Moscow, as officials assess cost, performance, and reliability considerations for a modern municipal fleet. (citation attribution)