Spartan EV – why the electric UAZ never went to the masses

Four years ago, in Munich, the Mercedes concern "boasted" about a conceptual Gelandewagen with zero emissions. The presentation's entourage hinted that this solution was still in the realm of science fiction...


At the same time, but thousands of kilometers to the east of the "enlightened" Munich, the fully electric UAZ Spartan EV was kneading the mud in the Moscow region. The experimental development was created on the basis of the UAZ Hunter without a power plant. Yes, they simply "threw out" the gasoline engine, but left the exhaust system - for intrigue. The "leading violin" in the project at that time was the Czech company MW Motors (it was they who proposed the concept and developed the software). The electrical part was completely Chinese-made, no import substitution was planned at all.

It seemed that the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant was keeping pace with the world's leading manufacturers in its developments. GM, Rolls-Royce, genesis and other brands.

The main reason for abandoning mass production

But it only seemed that way. The plant had no particular illusions - the electric version was doomed to failure on our market due to the price difference. Gasoline UAZs are cheaper, simpler and more understandable to the average person, and ecology is not the kind of matter that will make our car enthusiast pay more. But the Czech partners worked more actively - the car was certified in England and could not only be seen in car showrooms in "foggy Albion", but also bought. The price, however, stunned even the prim Englishmen.


No joke, eco-friendly, with a howling transfer case and outwardly hopelessly archaic, the UAZ Spartan EV with a canvas top is valued abroad at around 40 thousand euros. In our money, it also comes out decent - for 3,65 million rubles there are many much more interesting things on the market. But for Europeans, such capital makes the idea of ​​buying the same Tesla accessible.

Advantages of the electric version of the SUV

Where is Elon Musk's creation, and where is our "goat"? These are different worlds, and levels of off-road capability. And it is both on the island and in the "blooming European garden", as well as people who want to plunge into all this to the point of "I can't".

And UAZ Spartan EV managed to offer them:

✅ Electric motor 118 kW (analog 160 hp)
✅ Torque 600 N*m
✅ Power reserve of 250 or 400 km
✅ Spartan salon
✅ No exhaust or engine roar when taking off-road obstacles

And if the battery capacity may raise questions regarding the relevance of the power reserve, then the strong torque will definitely not leave any owner indifferent.


And now off-road conditions can be overcome with decent acoustic comfort. There are no rattles, noises or heart-rending roars from under the hood - only a weak buzz of the electric motor and the howl of the transfer case under load.

Battery issue and additional equipment

Objectively, the most budget-friendly version of the 62 kWh battery lasts for 150 km. The 90 kWh lithium-ion battery will last longer, but does not change anything fundamentally. The car is not suitable for long trips, even despite the support for fast charging - it is unlikely that you will be able to find a station in the forest or field. At the same time, we must not forget the fact that batteries are heavy things, and the weight of the UAZ has increased significantly, about two hundred kilograms. In addition, the elements were mounted in waterproof steel cases (why they chose this material and not plastic, the story is silent).

For a separate price, the UAZ Spartan EV will be equipped with:

✅ differential lock
✅ power bumpers
✅ winch (electric)
✅ expedition luggage rack, etc.

Despite all the "wonderful" equipment, it seemed that the "electrification" was intended to attract foreign buyers more to the petrol versions of the "eternal" model of the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant, which are quite successfully sold in Great Britain and EU countries even now. After all, they provide a unique opportunity to get acquainted with the off-road culture at a very low cost - the cost of "Hunters" is extremely advantageous against the background of European brands.


The same applies to maintenance. The cost of maintaining "our" SUV compared to the same Land Rover is perceived as nothing less than a gift from fate.

Summing up

As for MW Motors, as you have already understood, there is no stagnation in its arsenal of "electric cars". Spartan EV 2.0 based on "Gelika" can be purchased from 49 pounds sterling. This is more expensive than UAZ Spartan EV, but the level of comfort is undoubtedly completely different.


Will we get good news about this model from Ulyanovsk automakers? The question is rather rhetorical. And irrelevant. Here, Iskra is on the way.