Two GAZelle e-NN electric LCVs are being used in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia

Two GAZelle e-NN electric light commercial vehicles are hitting the road in the Russian city on Nizhny Novgorod. In their bus configuration, the two electric vehicles are currently taking passengers to and from the city airport from the nearest metro station on the occasion of the city’s 800th anniversary.

This is quite an important step for the Russian automotive scenario, as GAZelle e-NN is Russia’s first electric light commercial vehicles. It is based on commonized parts of GAZ light commercial vehicles and has all-new electric systems, e.g. traction batteries, electric motor, voltage converter, charger, etc. The new electric GAZelle can carry 17 passengers, and its GVW is 4.6 tons.

More into details of the vehicle powertrain, the electric motor is synchronous with permanent magnets, with 100 kW maximum power and 310 Nm maximum torque. The battery storage capacity is 48 kWh. The vehicle can run 120 km on a single charge at the maximum speed of 100 km/h. If required, additional batteries can be installed increasing the range up to 200 km.

GAZelle e-NN, first unveiled last September

According to the manufacturer, the system supports fast-charging technology that charges the battery up to 80 percent in 30 minutes. The vehicle uses regenerative braking to help top up the battery. GAZelle e-NN was first unveiled last September at the Digital Industry of Industrial Russia Conference (CIPR) in Nizhny Novgorod.

«Electric GAZelle buses went on the roads in Nizhny Novgorod, the native city of Gorky Automobile Plant, during its 800th anniversary year, and that’s very symbolic for us. Electrification of public transport is a global process making life in cities better and more comfortable. And that’s not about environment only, that’s about lower noise levels, various digital services, better safety and comfort for passengers and more efficient fleet management», said Vadim Sorokin, GAZ Group President.