The unknown electric car VAZ-2801, created half a century ago

In the 1970s, the development of experimental electric vehicles in the Eastern Bloc countries was not among the priorities of the local auto industries, but still, some interesting models periodically appeared that deserve attention magazin de piese auto online.

The unknown electric car VAZ-2801, created half a century ago

Among them is the Soviet VAZ-2801, based on the standard VAZ-2102 station wagon, which was produced in a limited series and was intended for the transport of small loads. Between 1981 and 1984, about fifty of them were made, and only a few have survived to this day. New DC motors, developed in cooperation with the Moscow Dzerzhinets Aggregate Plant, were used for propulsion, which had a power of 25 kW (PT-125) and 40 kW (PT-146), the first of which allowed the electric vehicle to reach a maximum speed of 87 km/h. Nickel-zinc batteries NT-125 (NPO Istochnik) with a capacity of 125 Ah were installed under the hood and in the front of the cargo area, providing a range of up to 110 km at a speed of 40 km/h. Based on the results of the tests carried out with the first two prototypes, completed in 1975, a decision was made to produce a pilot batch.

In 1980-81, the first 47 electric cars were sent to Moscow, Togliatti, Kiev and the resort of Mirgorod for extensive testing. However, the electric car, created using the “conversion” method, turned out to be overweight and had a limited cargo compartment (due to the location of the battery). Its carrying capacity was also significantly less than that of its gasoline counterparts, since the total weight of the batteries was over 380 kg. Despite this, the VAZ-2801 was often shown at various exhibitions, and in some cases the word “Electro” was written on the side of the body. It also performed ordinary, routine work, with some copies being used to deliver various goods, others working in post offices, and there were those that were used by the Zaporozhye television repair company “Garant”. Although it proved its suitability for everyday use, it also showed a number of shortcomings, the main of which was related to its limited mileage.

The VAZ-2108 is a two-seater van without rear doors, with corrugated panels in place of the rear side windows, and a hatch for accessing the traction batteries in place of the rear right door. It is equipped with a PT-125 engine and reaches a maximum speed of 87 km/h, with acceleration from 0 to 30 km/h taking 4 seconds. The range on a single battery charge and maintaining a speed of 40 km/h is 110 km. The curb weight of the electric vehicle is 1615 kg, with a battery weight of 380 kg and a load capacity of 340 kg.

Car parts AutoPower
Car parts AutoPower

Among them is the Soviet VAZ-2801, based on the standard VAZ-2102 station wagon, which was produced in a limited series and was intended for the transport of small loads

In 1980-81, the first 47 electric cars were sent to Moscow, Togliatti, Kiev and the resort of Mirgorod for extensive testing