Telegram channel “Autopotok” learned from the head of the group of companies Valery Volodchenko how successful the Russian experience of operating “battery” sedans in the taxi fleet format is. About two years ago, Nizhegorodets purchased the first batch of 180 Evolute i-Pro cars from Motorinvest; there are now 400 electric cars on the line; they plan to purchase another 600 units by the end of the year.
Valery Volodchenko emphasized that before the start of the electric taxi project, there were concerns about the residual value of electric vehicles after several years in the cab. However, two years later it is clear: the degradation of traction batteries is minimal, the batteries are durable, and in general the Evolute i-Pro behaves adequately.
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However, there are some nuances: the electric car is much heavier than the gasoline source, so the suspension suffers. Another unpleasant surprise is defects in the welds in the places where the chassis is attached to the body. The scale is such that Valery Volodchenko used the phrase “recall campaign”: it was necessary to solve problems with welding and suspension on most cars. Massive electronic glitches were also identified, but this malfunction is “easily solved.”
GC Nizhegorodets is a large auto holding, but even with their resources, the taxi fleet project with electric vehicles would be unprofitable without government support. Valery Volodchenko admitted that without a subsidy of 35%, “the math won’t add up.” The main problem is the high price of electric vehicles compared to their gasoline counterparts. At the same time, 40% of drivers are confident in Evolute i-Pro and are ready to rent an electric car with subsequent purchase after the lease expires.
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