Russia’s Attempt to Rival Tesla Ends in Internet Ridicule with Their First Electric Car

In recent days, a so-called “first Russian electric car” has gone viral across social media, sparking a flurry of memes, jokes, and ridicule. However, upon closer inspection, this “groundbreaking” vehicle isn’t quite what it appears. Far from a futuristic electric revolution, the car in question is more of a student project gone wrong. In fact, according to Russian news outlet RBC, what has captured the internet’s attention is not a new mass-market electric car, but rather a prototype quadricycle, created as part of a software development project at Moscow’s Polytechnic University.

Not Quite What It Seems: The “First” Russian Electric Car

Pin

Let’s set the record straight—this is not a car intended for mass production, nor is it officially classified as a car in terms of road certification. While it’s true that it’s electric, that’s about the only claim that stands up to scrutiny. The vehicle is a test project to develop the software that would one day be installed in a fully functioning electric car. So, while it’s technically a “vehicle,” calling it a “first Russian electric car” is misleading at best.

The vehicle, developed by engineers at Avtotor, a Russian auto manufacturer with ties to companies like BMW and General Motors, is really more of an experimental prototype. It’s essentially a four-wheeled electric quadricycle, which would be similar to the “cars without a license” seen in France. In other words, it’s closer to a glorified electric scooter than the kind of electric vehicle you’d expect to compete with Tesla.

A Design That Defies Description

While this prototype may not have the technological pedigree that would earn it the title of “first Russian electric car,” there’s no denying that the design has captured attention—though not for the right reasons. If there were an award for the least aesthetically pleasing vehicle of 2023, this electric quadricycle would certainly be in the running.

In fact, calling it “ugly” might be an understatement. It has drawn comparisons to the infamous Fiat Multipla, often considered one of the ugliest cars ever made. On social media, reactions have been harsh, with one commenter describing it as “worse than a Playmobil car” and another bluntly stating, “This is officially the ugliest car in history, no debate.”

The vehicle’s design has a clunky, boxy appearance, with an awkward front-end that seems to have been cobbled together like a child’s Lego project gone wrong. It’s clear that aesthetics were not a priority in the development of this car, and its bizarre proportions have made it the subject of endless online jokes.

Not Russia’s First Electric Car After All

While the Avtotor prototype may have grabbed headlines, it’s far from being the first Russian electric car. A quick search reveals that Russia’s Lada has already entered the electric vehicle market with the Lada e-Largus, a modified version of the Dacia Logan MCV. This vehicle is positioned as an electric SUV with a range of 400 kilometers (according to the NEDC cycle, which is more lenient than the current WLTP standard).

Pin

The presence of companies like Chery, a Chinese automaker that has been working closely with Avtotor for over a decade, also hints at the growing collaboration between Russia and China in the electric vehicle sector. With China being a major supplier of critical materials and components for electric cars, these partnerships will likely be crucial to the future of Russia’s electric vehicle industry.

A Viral But Hollow Moment

While the “first Russian electric car” may have gone viral, it’s clear that this prototype isn’t anything close to a Tesla rival—or even a functional electric vehicle for that matter. Its viral moment is more a testament to the internet’s love for bizarre and poorly executed ideas than a genuine leap forward in Russia’s electric car ambitions.

So, while it’s fun to poke fun at the design and the overblown claims surrounding this project, the reality is that Russia’s electric vehicle journey is just beginning. There’s still plenty of room for growth, and future developments, particularly those driven by partnerships with China, could see more competitive electric vehicles emerge from the country in the years to come.

For now, however, the Avtotor Amber (or “Amber Auto” as it’s sometimes called) remains an oddity in the world of electric cars—a prototype that’s far from being a serious contender in the race to revolutionize transportation.