At the end of last month, the production of the first Togg electric car started. What it is? The designation Togg is short for Turkiyenin Otomobili Girisim Grubu, which means “Turkish Automotive Initiative Group”. The name is not misleading: in fact, before us is a project to create a “Turkish national electric car”, implemented with the active support of the local authorities and the president of the country personally. What is behind this? I’ll tell you now!

The beginning of Togg

The history of the Togg company began in 2018, the first project of an electric car was born a year later. Already in 2019, the concept of an electric crossover was presented, which later became the first serial model of Togg.

We are talking about an electric car of the C-SUV class: small external dimensions, but at the same time a fairly large wheelbase – about 2.8 meters. In fact, this is the most profitable layout option for an electric car.

First, the extended wheelbase allows you to install a large battery under the body, which is necessary for long trips. Secondly, the crossover format with a higher roof will allow you to use a vertical landing in the cabin – and thus minimize the inconvenience of landing and the location of the legs due to the battery from below.

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The first electric car Togg – crossover C–SUV, which started with the 2019 concept and came to the series almost unchanged. Two versions are announced today: the first is rear-wheel drive, 200 hp power, 300 km range; the second – four-wheel drive, power 400 hp, range 500 km. The start of sales is planned for 2023, the price guide is $43-54 thousand, depending on the version.

The development of this crossover required cooperation with two large foreign companies at once. First of all, this is the Pininfarina company – in addition to the general design, usually specialists from third-party studios also help with the ergonomics of the interior, the processing of details, and sometimes even with the adjustment of the chassis.

Secondly, the creation of an electric car led to the need to build a new plant, which requires new experience in international cooperation. This time – with the Chinese company Farasis, which is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of batteries for electric vehicles. And as a plus, add the purchase of equipment for the plant, the organization of the production process – invaluable experience!

Already today the factory Togg is ready to annually produce up to 100,000 electric cars per year, and in general, its potential will allow to increase the volume of production even up to 175,000 electric cars per year.

If the Togg website is to be believed, the company’s idea goes far beyond just electric cars. This is about a “mobile platform for the future”: the possibility of “sharing” an electric car and parking spaces, a search and reserve of charging stations, exclusive programs from partners, delivery of ordered goods directly to the trunk of an electric car.

And Togg is a department for autonomous transport: the company soon promises to sell a third-level autopilot for its own models. All of the above is built, first of all, on the capabilities of the “software”. And this means the need for the development of the IT company and the growth of relevant specialists.

In short, Togg is a lot of ideas built around electric cars. But let’s get back to the electric cars themselves.

Range of Togg models: crossover, sedan, other models

Above, I gave the example of the Togg crossover, but the company has already announced new concepts – these are electric sedans. Which, judging by its appearance, are quite close to serial copies: remove the doors, camera mirrors, retractable handles – and here are the ready-made options.

Moreover, pay attention to the similar design style of the crossover and sedans: different models of electric cars are unmistakably recognizable as belonging to the same brand. This is important if you need to expand the range of models. After all, judging by the company’s previous plans, it will happen.

The initial model range of Togg should include five electric cars: crossover, sedans, hatchback, minivan. In addition to new models, there must be new sales markets. In addition to sales of electric cars in Turkey itself, the company is also focused on European markets – at least Germany and France.

Today we know the crossover ToggElectric sedans have also been announced. And in general, the range should include at least five models – and all of them will be only electric cars!

So: is this possible in Ukraine, what does it give, and why is it needed?

Someone will say, say, “Togg is another form of propaganda by the forces of the current government.” Perhaps. But the form of propaganda through the creation of something new is much better than trying to impose one’s ideas by military means. Well, you got it. It is symbolic that human history has known examples when the first (propaganda through the car) turned into the second. This is the irony of fate.

However, if you do not bend the rope, then the idea of ​​creating a modern mass electric car entails the creation of a huge number of innovations for the country. About 40 ideas received from 30 “focus” groups with a total number of participants of about two thousand people were used in the development of Togg projects. And probably among them there were many first-class specialists who found an opportunity to apply their knowledge. And in general, the scale of involving people is much wider.

Just think: the Togg electric car project gave Turkey a new factory, the need to develop a charging network and special electric service stations, experience of cooperation in the initial development of an electric car and the production of batteries, a product for export. This is only what lies on the surface.

This is what Ukraine needs: new ideas around which our country will be reborn. There will be ideas – there will be companies and enterprises, there will be the involvement of young specialists, there will be international cooperation, there will be the possibility of exporting.

Moreover, these can be different ideas: the creation of commercial delivery electric vehicles or electric bikes (there are already examples), the creation of a platform for managing charging stations with subsequent access to the international level (there are also examples), the construction of the “Mriya-2” aircraft, the development of IT – Directions or rocket and space industry. But anything, so as not to stand still!

What is needed for this? State support And not at the “do not interfere” level, but at the “help” level: the construction of roads and power supply, tax benefits for plant equipment, conferences of government representatives for potential foreign investors, etc. All items from the list are allowed, only a few are allowed.

But what is needed is “support”, not just “do not disturb”. After all, Ukrainians have already proved to the whole world: we stand to go forward – to a bright and peaceful future.