At the seventh international Eurasian Forum ‘Taxi’ (MEFT) in Moscow, the Kalashnikov Group – better known abroad for its arms production – introduced the UV-4 electric car for the taxi market.

The electric (city) car UV-4 is easy to use, requires little maintenance and there is little fire and explosion hazard in the event of an accident. The vehicle is designed for taxi companies and for car sharing companies.

The maximum speed that the 50kW UV-4 can develop is 80 km/h and the range is 150 km. The electric car weighs 650 kg. The length is 3,4 m, width 1,5 m and the height 1,7 m. The version of the small car on show in Moscow was definitely on the Spartan side.

This is not Kalashnikov’s first effort in this area. At the international military-technical forum Army 2019, it presented the new generation of OVUM electric cars for that market, the next step in the development of electric vehicle technology. A new air conditioning and heating system was installed in the car and a heavier battery was installed. OVUM is equipped with a new adjustable suspension and braking system and the vehicle has an improved transmission.

• What market was Kalashnikov aiming for exactly with this electric taxi vehicle? The version of the cab on show in Moscow was rather spartan.