RusHydro, the largest owner of electric power assets in Russia, expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of domestically produced Evolute electric cars. This stance comes from a report by Vedomosti, citing the company’s Chief Executive Officer of JSC Electric Charging Stations RusHydro, Dmitry Belyaev. The claim highlights ongoing concerns about the reliability of Evolute vehicles within the company’s operations and the broader implications for Russia’s growing electric mobility ecosystem.
The Evolute cars are deployed in the Green Crab car-sharing network, which is owned by RusHydro. The top executive notes that more than 20 percent of the vehicle fleet could experience simultaneous breakdowns due to what he termed childhood illnesses. He also pointed to the financial strain for leasing customers who must pay during downtime, reinforcing the challenges faced by operators in maintaining vehicle availability. Additionally, charging infrastructure for electric vehicles was identified as another area of difficulty, underlining a multi-faceted strain on the system.
Specific Evolute models used include the Evolute i-Pro, assembled at the Lipetsk Motorinvest facility. The i-Pro is equipped with a 150-horsepower powertrain and offers two driving modes: Eco and Sport. Its top speed reaches 145 kilometers per hour. The vehicle’s independent MacPherson front suspension coupled with a torsion beam at the rear defines its ride characteristics, while the 53 kWh battery enables a claimed driving range of 433 kilometers on a single charge.
Motorinvest is also responsible for producing the Evolute i-Joy, another electric model in the lineup. The i-Joy features a 176-horsepower electric motor and a 53 kWh battery. Its range is rated at 405 kilometers, and it supports rapid charging, with the battery charging from 30 percent to 80 percent in about 30 minutes through the CCS-2 connector. These specifications position the i-Joy as a capable option for urban and regional mobility within a shared-vehicle framework.
Earlier coverage noted that public services in St. Petersburg would be investing in domestic electric vehicles, signaling continued interest from city authorities in leveraging locally produced EVs to support municipal transport goals and sustainability targets.