WOLV FC25 Electric Trucks Entering Russia: Market Entry, Pricing, and Local Production Plans

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This year, a new line of compact electric trucks from the Chinese Fengchuen brand, known for the WOLV models, is set to enter the Russian market. The vehicles are manufactured in Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province. The FC25 will be the first model to arrive, with New Energy Motors (NEMO) of Nizhny Novgorod handling supply and sales for Russia.

Certification is scheduled for completion by July, with the first units expected to reach customers in September, according to company representative Andrey Dorofeev as reported by socialbites.ca. Retailers anticipate buyers in logistics firms, distribution centers, and supermarket chains as primary customers.

The minimum price of the truck has not been disclosed by NEMO, which explains that pricing will vary based on individual customer requirements for the vehicle superstructures. In Europe, the FC25 is estimated at roughly 35-40 thousand euros (about 2.4-2.7 million rubles) according to Quto.

Currently in Russia, the electric light commercial vehicle segment is represented mainly by the Gazelle NN with a 2.5-ton payload. In contrast, the gasoline and diesel Gazelle Business models can carry the same load while priced around 1.5-2 million rubles.

The FC25 offers a 5 cubic meter cargo area and a load capacity of 800 kg. That payload is smaller than the Gazelle but surpasses the Largus by about 160 kg. The vehicle length is just under four meters, roughly half a meter shorter than the Togliatti-made van.

The FC25 cabin uses a composite material interior. It is powered by a 30 kW motor with 150 Nm of torque delivered to the rear axle. The manufacturer claims a charging time of five hours for a 30 kWh battery when plugged into a 220V, 6.6 kW supply.

Standard features include air conditioning and an interior heater, driver’s airbag, power windows, rear-view camera, electric power steering, and stamped wheels. The FC25 employs disc brakes, a front independent MacPherson strut suspension, and rear leaf springs.

FC25 is planned to be produced in four configurations—isothermal, refrigerated, and two body variants. The company intends to import chassis into Russia and send them to local bodybuilders for installation of Russian-made superstructures.

According to a NEMO spokesperson, these bodybuilders will become manufacturers and will obtain Vehicle Type Approval (OTTS) certificates and numbers from remanufacturers rather than using Chinese VIN numbers.

Negotiations are underway with local bodywork firms to establish in-country production. Dorofeev notes that these are well-known companies that manufacture thousands of pickup trucks annually.

Depending on demand, sales targets span from 1,000 to 5,000 units per year.

NEMO is actively negotiating with logistics firms and supermarkets to provide FC25 samples for testing. Live field tests are currently in progress and are slated to conclude by July. In Europe, the model has received light commercial vehicle certification for the N1K category.

The range specified by the Chinese manufacturer is 200 kilometers, and Russian testing conducted by the local partner suggests the numbers hold true, though tests were performed without cargo. NEMO expressed interest in operating primarily in the capital regions and southern cities of Russia.

The top speed of the truck is limited to 85 km/h, with the possibility of further reductions. Some customers have requested a maximum speed cap at 60 km/h, according to Dorofeev.

Cost calculations by the Russian partner place the five-year total ownership at about 2.72 million rubles, which is slightly lower than the Largus van at 2.75 million and the Largus Prima at 3.4 million rubles.

The battery’s expected lifespan is up to ten years, and NEMO expects to benefit from Rosatom’s subsidiary services, which plans to open Russia’s first lithium-ion battery recycling facility in the Nizhny Novgorod region in 2024.

Looking ahead, NEMO plans to introduce other WOLV models in Russia, including the DV40 and DV45. However, the company acknowledges that the market may not yet be ready for heavier payload electric trucks.

price bites

Independent automotive consultant Sergey Burgazliev notes that the NEMO’s smaller cargo capacity compared with the Gazelle will likely keep its price higher than domestic light commercial vehicles, at least initially. He estimates the electric truck could land around 3 million rubles, depending on the final configuration, according to socialbites.ca.

Burgazliev also warns about spare parts availability, suggesting that while electric vehicles generally require less maintenance than internal combustion engine or hybrid models, the road to easy repairs remains uncertain for a new entrant. He adds that Russia’s market favors urban operations and questions the warranty framework when bodybuilders issue their own VIN numbers. If a bodybuilder obtains OTTS and VIN certifications, warranty accountability may become a legal question in case of faults or fires—an issue that could complicate consumer confidence.

Industry expert Igor Morzharetto agrees that the price will determine the venture’s success. He believes electric trucks will benefit urban delivery operations, though it remains unclear whether Largus will release an electric variant. Much hinges on AvtoVAZ’s ongoing relationship with Renault, which remains unsettled, given the urban benefits of deploying electric vehicles with limited mileage.

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