Magnit and Drive Electro Present the First Russian Electric Truck in Moscow

Moscow, Russia (September 28, 2020): The first Russian electric heavy-duty truck, MOSKVA, was handed over to Magnit retail chain for trial operation, complete with a special charging station. The vehicle was created by Drive Electro, a company that also developed power cells for Moscow’s electric buses. The truck’s design is fully based on Magnit’s specifications.

The truck is adapted to Russian climate and causes no noise pollution, which is especially important for the comfort of the city’s residents. Moreover, calculations performed by Magnit’s environmental experts show that one electric truck could help decrease carbon dioxide emissions by as much as 87 tonnes per year. Based on the information provided by the manufacturer, over a period of 10 years, the cost of ownership for these electric trucks is 20 to 25% lower than for traditional trucks, thanks to the alternative energy source and longer service life of vehicle’s major components.

The MOSKVA electric truck has a curb weight similar to that of a diesel-powered truck of the same class — around 10 tonnes — and can carry up to 9 tonnes. It has a top speed of 110 km/h and a range of 200 km — one of the highest in its class in the world. In Russia, 40% of Magnit’s stores are located within 80 km of the distribution centers, so the new truck’s range will be sufficient to deliver fresh products to a large number of locations. Today Magnit operates around 600 stores of various formats throughout the capital

There are two charging modes available for the electric truck: fast charge taking 20 minutes and overnight charge lasting 8 hours. The truck is able to draw power from a regular 380 V industrial grid. In addition to all other features, the vehicle has an insulated box and comes equipped with a refrigeration unit to keep the products as fresh as possible, as well as a tail lift with 1500 kg capacity.

At Magnit, the test truck will undergo trial operation for 6 to 12 months, delivering products from the Company’s distribution center in Dmitrov to stores throughout Moscow. Should the trial be deemed successful, the Company will decide on whether to procure more electric trucks in this configuration; initially, it may potentially order up to 200 vehicles.

“Magnit is the first company in Russia to test the capabilities of this electric truck. We’re very happy to act as trend-setters in green logistics on the national level and try out alternative energy sources for transport vehicles used in product distribution. We’re not only the largest Russian chain in terms of the number of stores; we are also the country’s leading private logistics operator: our infrastructure includes 38 distribution centers and over 5,000 owned trucks. We work tirelessly to improve the efficiency of our logistics and minimize its impact on the environment. This priority is enshrined in Magnit’s Sustainable Development Strategy. Besides the electric truck, we’ve also started using vehicles that run on natural gas fuel, and plan to convert up to 250 vehicles to LNG by the end of the year,” — commented Maria Dei, Magnit Supply Chain Director and Member of the Management Board.

“We’re currently seeing a high demand for electric trucks, with many international automotive brands working to produce their own prototypes. However, it’s not just about the environmental aspects. Our solution, which in addition to the truck itself also includes the charging station and maintenance, will cost less over 10 years of service than a similar package for a diesel truck would,” — said Sergey Ivanov, CEO of Drive Electro.

Magnit and Drive Electro present the first Russian electric truck in Moscow