Electrification in the automotive industry looks inevitable today. Almost every automaker is investing millions of dollars into new technology and even smaller companies and single markets are looking to move forward with battery-powered vehicles. The Lada is one of the latest to join the party and while its first electric vehicle isn’t ready to hit the production line yet, there’s now a prototype that looks at the future of the e-Largus.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began, AvtoVAZ, the company that owns Lada, has had great difficulty producing and delivering new cars. Recently, the company restarted production of the Granta, albeit without ABS, airbags and other features. For its new project, Lada is eyeing a near-experienced technology by presenting what is believed to be a functional electric train prototype.
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If the design of the e-Largus looks familiar to you, it’s because the vehicle is based on the previous-generation Dacia Logan LCV. The vehicle uses the Renault-Dacia B0 platform, which was launched in 2004 and supports models such as the first-generation Dacia Duster, Nissan Kicks, Mahindra Verito Vibe and Lada Xray. The architecture is largely unmodified for the electric Largus and it is said that the battery is installed inside the floor. Fast charging via CCS port is possible.
Unfortunately, Lada did not reveal the technical specifications of the e-Largus, although Russian media reported it would be offered in five- and seven-seat passenger versions, as well as a cargo panel van. According to some sources, the distance between the two payloads can be up to 250 miles (400 kilometers), although this figure is unofficial and sounds a bit too optimistic to us given the old ICE platform.
Lada has officially confirmed that next year it will launch a fleet of prototypes to carry out validation tests before the electric carts are ready to go into production. For now, it is unknown when the e-Largus will hit the assembly line. Considering some of the details revealed by the brand, it is not surprising that the market launch is scheduled for as early as 2024.
