ZAZ Electro: a story with a new meaning

The idea to create an electric car came up suddenly, after the information about the start of the Kyiv-Monte Carlo eco-marathon in 2015.

First steps

We wanted to be bright and unusual. It had to be an electric car that we assembled with a spectacular appearance and a sufficient range.

"We chose the ZAZ 966 because it is made in Ukraine, has the recognition and charisma that we needed. We supported the idea of the eco-marathon to promote electric transport. We wanted to show that electric cars are real, practical and the future is theirs," says founder Sergiy Velchev.

And in 2015, ZAZ Electro became the first completed project of the ECOFACTOR team. We wanted it to embody our mission: to draw attention to the technical creativity and potential of craftsmen in Ukraine.

Creating an electric car

We developed all the parts, including the engine, battery and the entire electrical system, on our own. We spent a long time looking for a ZAZ 966 car, so that the body was in good condition and the interior was also in good condition. We found it in Poltava and drove it to Odesa almost across Ukraine.

The modernisation process involved removing all components of the engine, chassis and even part of the interior. Everything was done in the garage by hand. The electric motor was assembled separately using the Slavic technology, the author of which is D.A. Duyunov. The battery was created on the spot from small lithium-ion batteries and took up almost all the free space in the car, including the rear sofa. In total, the battery had a capacity of 60 kWh.

We placed the controller and electric motor on the rear axle. We had to abandon the original gearbox and take a more suitable one from the Renault 25. We also went through the suspension.

The whole process took us about three weeks. Given that we were already under pressure, we had to work day and night. As a result, the ZAZ Electro retained only the body, interior and chassis elements from its ancestor.

The final touch was the installation of retro-style hubcaps ordered earlier and the decoration of the car with stickers in the form of embroidery.

The result exceeded expectations

There's no power steering or climate control, no comfort seats or power windows. However, the torpedo, instruments, and steering wheel are all native. The luggage space and the rear sofa space are occupied by important components, and the suspension has all the features of the national manufacturer. However, the ZAZ Electro can cover a distance of about 500 km on a single charge and is equipped with energy recovery during braking. It can accelerate to 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds and maintain a top speed of 140 km/h.

The battery connector complies with Type 2 (Mennekes) and is capable of consuming up to 20 kWh. The electric car takes 3 to 12 hours to recharge from 0 to 100%, depending on the power of the power supply.

The marathon test

After a month of preparation, sleepless nights, and on the day of the Kyiv-Monte Carlo race, we left Odesa, arriving ten minutes before the start. Thus, we were convinced of the success of our technical calculations and the ability of ZAZ Electro to withstand a long journey.

"At all stages of the marathon, we were constantly answering questions. The car produced a "wow effect" on the road, as we expected. People took pictures of us and congratulated us. During the run, we charged our electric cars with a special mobile charging station that the organisers took with them. But sometimes we had to look for other chargers. The route was not easy, especially when driving along the mountain serpentines of the Alps. Although we had some minor difficulties along the way, we quickly fixed them on the spot," says Sergey..

Our electric Zaporozhets proved its endurance by covering more than 3,000 km and travelling through 10 countries. It drove us to our final destination in Monte Carlo and gathered countless fans with its striking appearance. As a result, our team took second place in the converted vehicle category and fifth overall.

We got what we initially expected:

• We made it to Monaco;
• attracted the attention of the public at all levels, from ordinary onlookers to specialists who are passionate about electric vehicles;
• checked our own calculations;
• made sure that the chosen direction was correct;
• We made a lot of contacts;
• demonstrated the capabilities of Ukrainian craftsmen and their willingness to create new and promising vehicles.

"Many people associate Zaporozhets with the past. Perhaps not as technologically advanced as we would like. We have taken these associations and shown that modern, innovative things can be created in Ukraine," says Sergey Velchev.

Today, ZAZ Electro serves as a show car, presenting the company at exhibitions and themed events. And the ECOFACTOR team creates new and even cooler projects.