Autostat reports that Evolute plans to begin production of the i-Joy electric crossover in Russia using a domestically produced electric motor and transmission. The plan envisions installing a locally built drive unit in the i-Joy in 2025 and expanding localization to include plastic parts and rubber components used in Evolute vehicles. This move is part of a broader push to boost domestic content in electric cars and to strengthen local supply chains amid global disruptions. By focusing on local manufacturing, the company aims to improve supply stability and potentially reduce dependence on imported components for future models.
Motorinvest, a Russian company, started series production and sales of the Evolute i-Joy in 2022. Since then, the model has been gaining traction within Russia, supported by an expanding service network and regional distributors. The ongoing production efforts reflect a broader strategy to grow domestic EV manufacturing and to offer a model that aligns with local market demands and regulatory requirements. As production scales, this approach could also influence aftersales support, spare parts availability, and overall ownership experience for customers in the region.
The Evolute i-Joy is equipped with an electric motor rated at 176 horsepower. The battery pack is 53 kilowatt-hours. The car is expected to offer a driving range of about 405 kilometers on a full charge. With a CCS-2 fast charger, the battery can move from 30 percent to 80 percent in roughly 30 minutes, enabling quicker top ups on longer trips and reducing downtime for daily use. These specifications place the i-Joy among compact electric crossovers that balance city usability with longer-range capability, which is important for drivers navigating both urban routes and regional travel.
Earlier estimates concerning ownership costs in Moscow indicated that owning the Evolute i-Sky could require about 2.9 million rubles over five years for maintenance, the i-Pro sedan about 1.8 million rubles, and the i-Joy around 2.1 million rubles. These figures reflect projected maintenance, energy consumption, and service costs over a typical ownership period. For readers in Canada and the United States, such benchmarks help frame the long term cost of ownership, especially when comparing maintenance needs, warranty coverage, and energy costs across different markets. Local tax incentives, charging infrastructure, and regional energy prices will influence total ownership expenses for similar EVs.
In Russia, consumer guides have also highlighted affordable car options under 200 thousand rubles, illustrating a price-sensitive segment within the market. The Evolute strategy toward domestic production and parts localization can influence pricing dynamics and perceived value, potentially improving competitiveness against lower-cost alternatives. For international audiences watching Russia’s EV evolution, these developments demonstrate how automakers balance price, performance, and localization to capture market share while building resilience into the supply chain.
Overall the Evolute i-Joy case underscores a broader trend in the electric vehicle sector toward greater local content and more predictable supply chains. The shift to a domestically produced motor and transmission signals an emphasis on regional manufacturing capabilities and aftersales stability. For readers outside Russia, the progression offers insight into how automotive brands adapt to local conditions while maintaining global product strategy. The interplay between design, drive components, and market support remains central to the adoption of electrified vehicles across different regions, including Canada and the United States.