BY OUR MOTORS REPORTER
MOVE over Elon, there’s a new heavy-metal hero on the block—and it’s coming straight out of Russia with a very familiar face.
The iconic Russo-Balt name—a brand once favored by the Tsars—has been brought back from the dead to launch a line of light electric vans that look like they’ve been hammered out of the same scrap heap as Tesla’s Cybertruck.
Dubbed the “Cybervan,” the steely newcomer sports the same sharp, angular design that made Musk’s motor a global sensation. But while Elon’s baby is for cruising the Cali coast, this Russian rebel is built for the grit of the high street.
Underneath that cold, stainless steel skin, the Russo-Balt packs a punchy 200 hp electric motor.
And for white-van men in a rush, it features one-hour fast charging, meaning you can grab a pie and a coffee while the battery goes from flat to full.
A spokesperson for the Perm-based firm said the vans are built for durability, using external panels that don’t need expensive stamping machines.
The Russo-Balt name carries serious history, dating back to 1909 when they made everything from luxury cars to bombers. Now, they’re hoping to conquer the future of delivery with a look that screams “Sci-Fi” and a price tag aimed at the working man.
Whether it’ll ever make it to the M25 remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure: it’s definitely the “steeliest” thing to come out of the East this year.
Background: The Return of a Legend
The Russo-Baltic Wagon Factory (RBVZ) was once the pride of the Russian Empire, producing the first Russian-made cars in Riga starting in 1909. The brand was famous for its “indestructible” vehicles, which won prestigious rallies and were used by the Russian Imperial Court.
After the 1917 Revolution, the brand effectively vanished, though several “revival” attempts were made over the decades—most notably a luxury concept car in 2006.
This new 2026 “Cybervan” project marks a shift from luxury to utility, leveraging the current global trend for “brutalist” EV design and the urgent need for domestic Russian manufacturing.
Tesla Cybertruck Van Copy Spotted in Russia
This video provides a look at the “Cybervan” prototype recently spotted on Russian streets, highlighting its striking visual similarities to Tesla’s design.
