Russia’s super cheap electric vehicle comes in 2020
Russia’s super low-priced electric car Zetta, will hit showrooms in 2020, marking the first electric car produced by the country.
According to Russian media reports, Zetta will be priced at around $7,000, coming in at a lower price point than the Renault City K-ZE and Ora R1 which sell for below $10,000 in Russia.
Russia’s Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov told reporters earlier this week the Zetta certification is nearly a done deal.
Zetta in the final stages of certification
“According to the report I’ve received from my colleagues, the certification process of the Zetta electric car is at its final stage. I hope this is the case. The production should start within the first quarter of 2020. I’ve been promised to be updated about the new developments.”
Manurov was quoted as saying.
Zetta, which stands for Zero Emission Terra Transport Asset, is a multifunctional compact module transport platform that gets its power from in-wheel hub induction electric motors in each wheel.
Denis Schurovsky, the CEO of Russian Engineering and Manufacturing Company or REMC said in a report the induction motors held up against road stresses during testing. The electric motors are chemical, water, and dust resistant. Using the technology ensures costs are kept down, enabling REMC to price the Zetta so cheaply.
“The technology of induction e-wheels production does not need difficult materials and components. Absence of expensive torque transfer mechanisms (transmission, reduction units, drive gear) on the platform provides low production cost and high reliability of service,” the company said on the vehicle’s website.
REMC plans to produce 15,000 Zetta vehicles each year
The Zetta will be able to go as fast as 120km/h and get around 200 miles on a single charge. REMC plans to produce 15,000 Zetta vehicles annually, reported bne IntelliNews.
The company said the electric vehicle is 99% sourced locally, with only the battery imported from China. Two-thirds of the Zetta inventory will be exported during 2020 and 2021, noted the media reports.
The Zetta is targeted at city streets around the world that aren’t designed for normal-sized cars and trucks and toward people who want a low-cost, green way to get to and fro.
