AvtoVAZ considers internal combustion engines (ICE) to be a key technology for the development of the automotive industry in Russia for the next 10-20 years. At a session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, industry experts concluded that electric vehicles will remain a niche product, and ICE will maintain its leadership due to its availability and competitive advantages.
Russia has significant oil reserves, which makes the use of fossil fuels strategically advantageous. This allows the country to rely on its own resources, avoiding dependence on imports of raw materials for the production of electric vehicles, such as lithium, which is actively mined in China and Latin America.
The development of ICE technologies under Russian control is seen as a way to strengthen its position in the market. This approach does not isolate the country, as global automakers, including Porsche, Mercedes, Ford and Volvo, are also reducing their electric vehicle production programs, preferring traditional engines.
AvtoVAZ emphasizes that focusing on ICE does not exclude the development of other technologies, but allows for the efficient use of Russia's natural and technological resources to ensure the competitiveness of the automotive industry.