AK-47 manufacturer showcases EV portfolio

Kalashnikov Group, a Russian arms manufacturer and globally known for the famous AK-47 assault rifles recently unveiled a range of electric mobility solutions, at a defence expo near Moscow. The company also showcased an electric concept car called CV-1 at a separate event.

At a recently held international military-technical forum ‘Army 2018’, Kalashnikov group unveiled an electric motorcycle, an electric vehicle and a hybrid buggy.

The hybrid buggy

The company says that the motorcycle develops a top speed of up to 90kph and has a range of up to 150km. It is equipped with a brushless DC motor with water cooling, and is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. The motorcycle christened as SM-1 and UM-1, is an update of the technology that was presented last year at the same forum.

SM-1, the electric motorcycle

The company also showcased an electric car concept at the Army 2018 International Military Technical Forum. According to their spokesperson, the electric car concept christened 'CV-1' (pictured below) is designed for the global electric car market and could compete against Tesla.

According to Autocar UK, The CV-1 uses modular batteries, with a total capacity of 90kWh, which Kalashnikov says are powered through a “revolutionary inverter” that measures 50x50x100cm. A range of 220 miles (354km) is cited for the car. Kalashnikov cites an output of 295bhp, with a claimed 0-62mph time of around six seconds.

Best known for its guns, Kalashnikov produces a wide range of military and civilian weapons and other systems. These include a number of bikes and off-road vehicles, and the firm recently unveiled a four-metre-tall, 4.5-tonne manned robot named Igorek.