Ulan-Ude Assembles Russia's First Domestic Electric Truck Under the BaikalAutoTrak Brand
At BaikalAutoTrak's new plant in Ulan-Ude, the company has assembled its first heavy-duty electric truck, serial number 001. The milestone follows a trilateral agreement signed in Vladivostok in early September 2026 between the government of Buryatia, the BaikalAutoTrak group of companies, and China's Huanqiu Tonglian. Head of Buryatia Alexei Tsydenov called electric truck production "exclusive and promising," noting that no comparable production exists elsewhere in Russia yet. The project aims to build a full-fledged truck manufacturing industry in the republic. • **Parties to the agreement**: the government of the Republic of Buryatia, the BaikalAutoTrak group of companies, and Huanqiu Tonglian (Hainan, China) • **Investment and timeline**: 12 billion rubles (Phase I — 6.5 billion, Phase II — 5.5 billion), full capacity by 2036 • **Jobs**: 250 positions, including 50+ roles for highly skilled engineers and specialists
AI-processed from TAdviser; edited by Hamidun News
On September 29, 2026, the government of Buryatia announced Russia's first production of heavy-duty electric trucks. At the new BaikalAutoTrak plant in Ulan-Ude, the first vehicle rolled off the line — an electric truck bearing serial number 001. The milestone capped an ambitious project launched under a trilateral agreement signed in Vladivostok in early September 2026.
The project's key participants — the government of the Republic of Buryatia, the BaikalAutoTrak group of companies, and China's Huanqiu Tonglian — have joined forces to build the region's first domestic electric truck manufacturing base. According to Buryatia's head, Alexei Tsydenov, electric truck production is an "exclusive and promising" direction, and no comparable production yet exists in Russia.
Investment Scale and Implementation Timeline
Total investment in the project amounts to 12 billion rubles, split across two phases: 6.5 billion rubles in the first phase and 5.5 billion rubles in the second. The plant is expected to reach full capacity by 2036, giving investors and partners a decade to scale up production.
Range of Vehicles and Industrial Cooperation
The Ulan-Ude plant will produce trucks powered by four types of powertrains:
• diesel engines • liquefied natural gas (LNG) • diesel-gas hybrid systems • electric motors
This approach lets the company flexibly cater to a range of customer needs, taking into account requirements for suspension type, traction force, and other technical parameters. BaikalAutoTrak plans a phased shift toward cooperation with Russian manufacturers, particularly for the production of electric motors and battery systems, which will support localization and import substitution in the domestic automotive industry.
Local Economic and Infrastructure Development
The project aims to establish a full-fledged truck manufacturing industry in the Republic of Buryatia. Production will create 250 new jobs, more than 50 of which are earmarked for highly skilled engineers and technical specialists. The republic's leader stressed that this isn't simply about creating jobs — it's about building a "modern industrial competency" from scratch in a region where vehicles had never before been produced, not even through knock-down assembly.
Beyond expanding manufacturing capacity, the investor will also contribute to developing Ulan-Ude's urban infrastructure. The project calls for the construction of:
• a modern exhibition center • a comfortable public space • a gym • a shopping complex
As a result, the BaikalAutoTrak project stands as a comprehensive initiative aimed simultaneously at industrial growth and the broader socioeconomic development of the region, creating synergy between manufacturing and urban development.
Key Questions Answered
What are the key details on Investment Scale and Implementation Timeline?
Total investment in the project amounts to 12 billion rubles, split across two phases: 6.5 billion rubles in the first phase and 5.5 billion rubles in the second. The plant is expected to reach full capacity by 2036, giving investors and partners a decade to scale up production.
What are the key details on Range of Vehicles and Industrial Cooperation?
The Ulan-Ude plant will produce trucks powered by four types of powertrains: diesel engines liquefied natural gas (LNG) diesel-gas hybrid systems electric motors This approach lets the company flexibly cater to a range of customer needs, taking into account requirements for suspension type, traction force, and other technical parameters. BaikalAutoTrak plans a phased shift toward cooperation with Russian manufacturers, particularly for the production of electric motors and battery systems, which will support localization and import substitution in the domestic automotive in
What are the key details on Local Economic and Infrastructure Development?
The project aims to establish a full-fledged truck manufacturing industry in the Republic of Buryatia. Production will create 250 new jobs, more than 50 of which are earmarked for highly skilled engineers and technical specialists. The republic's leader stressed that this isn't simply about creating jobs — it's about building a "modern industrial competency" from scratch in a region where vehicles had never before been produced, not even through knock-down assembly. Beyond expanding manufacturing capacity, the investor will also contribute to developing Ulan-Ude's urban inf
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