Russia has entered the club of green cars producers unveiling its own prototypes of hybrid vehicles. Second richest Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov, also known as the owner of the New Jersey Nets NBA franchise, has presented his new Yo-mobile to Moscow public saying that the hybrid car should break the stereotype that Russia cannot produce a good vehicle. The green car prototype was showcased in three versions – coupé, hatchback and mini-van. Yo, the brand name of the hybrid car, stands for the Russian letter Ё.
E-Auto, the production company, is a joint venture between Prokhorov’s financial holding company ONEXIM group and the Russian carmaker Yarovit-Motors. Mikhail Prokhorov is reportedly investing about $200 million into this green vehicle venture hoping that 10,000 of hybrid cars will be produced annually in Russia’s car making hub Togliatti. The first sales are planned for the second half of 2012 with a price tag of under $10,000. Our goal is not to compete with other hybrid vehicles but with regular cars, Prokhorov said at his Yo presentation.
Assembling the Yo’s motor.
Russian Yo green cars can run on gasoline or natural gas. They will reach speeds of about 80 mph (130 kph) consuming around 67 miles per gallon, or 3.5 liters per 100 kilometers. The Yo, like other hybrids, will have a much greater range than pure plug-in electrical cars, like the Nissan Leaf. At this stage we believe in producing hybrid cars and not electric cars, Prokhorov said.
The Yo differs a lot from outdated Lada or other traditional Russian cars.
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