Ukrainian engineer Vitaly Bryzgalov from Kryvyi Rih, who before the full-scale invasion worked on the creation of Coolon Motors electric trucks, set up the production of bugs for the Armed Forces.
He and his team have already produced 22 such cars, reports What's there.
Bryzgalov said that the development of electric trucks began in 2014. They created an improvised electric bus by installing an electric motor in an old minibus.
"It drove great, but it's cheaper to create an electric car from scratch than to convert it from an old bus," he said.
The engineer explained that they planned to create a self-sustaining vehicle that would allow businesses to move away from diesel trucks, which harm the environment, but the development failed to materialize.
"Having spent two years reworking the entire design of the car, we created it practically from scratch. This allows production to be localized by 80%. But there are elements that we definitely cannot make – these are battery cells," he said.
Bryzgalov noted that Ukraine is much more ready for electric cars than Europe, because it is not only ecological, but also tangible savings.
"If you lease an electric truck and don't pay for fuel, then this car is actually free. After all, the money that is spent on fuel per month – roughly $380 – goes to pay off the loan. We aspire to enter the Ukrainian market, and only in a few years - to the European market," he said.
The engineer also added that about 2,000 machines were pre-ordered before the war.
Since February 24, 2022, the team repaired radio stations, provided fighters with power banks, batteries, etc.
However, in April there was a huge need for fast cars. Coolon Motors was contacted by the Kryvyi Rih volunteer team Zalizna Sotnia regarding cars for the military.
"We made drawings for sports cars - buggies. The volunteers were thinking of putting our designs into production. However, it turned out that the factories that were provided with drawings did not want to do this. Or set an unrealistic value. For example, the frame costs UAH 45,000, although we know that it costs UAH 15,000," said Bryzgalov.
Engineers began to assemble the buggies themselves. Currently, 17 people work in the team, in particular, internally displaced persons from Mariupol, Kherson, Kharkiv, who receive at least the minimum wage.
The cost of spare parts for a buggy costs 60-65 thousand UAH, and the total cost of a buggy today reaches 80 thousand UAH – it is cheaper than that of any other Ukrainian manufacturers. This amount covers the rent of the premises, spare parts and the work of the team.
During the entire period, 22 buggies were produced in Coolon, and they are currently working on a bulk order for 24 cars. Some employers order buggies for their mobilized employees, for example Vinnytsia Agricultural Enterprise.
These cars are powerful and maneuverable, breaking through any surface: sand, swamp, field, off-road. Buggy can travel at a speed of 60-80 km/h through the fields, and on the track – 120-130 km/h. They are based on old VAZ cars. The engines are usually gasoline from 1.3 to 1.5 liters, but they can be larger depending on the needs.
Such a car weighs up to 550 kg. The distance between the front and rear wheels is only 2.5 m. Due to the short base, it needs less space to turn. In addition, the ground clearance is 400 mm when fully loaded. In this way, the buggies can pass without even touching the bottom of the bumps.
"I tried to walk up the steep slope - it didn't work, and the car drove by. On this car, you can make maneuvers that no other car can handle," said Bryzgalov.
They are mostly used for infantry and reconnaissance. Fighters deliberately refuse to book, preferring speed. If you load the buggy with armored sheets, it will lose its qualities as a light, maneuverable car. If necessary, the military can leave the car.
The team also received a request from the ministry for a unique project to create drones. It will be a disposable drone, very low cost, and quickly assembled. His idea is huge mass and very low price.
"Soon I will return to electric trucks. We plan to restore the project, because we have to get rid of fuel dependence as much as possible. Electric trucks are needed no less than weapons," Bryzgalov emphasized.
Earlier, EcoPolitic wrote, that in North America, the recruitment of participants for the Go Move 2022 competition, which is designed to develop partnerships between startups and corporations for acceleration of transport decarbonization sector started.
As EcoPolitic previously reported, the first electric car in the world on solar batteries was created in the Netherlands.
