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MINSK, 26 April (BelTA) – The updated Belarus-made electric car will be demonstrated by the end of 2018, Chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (NASB) Vladimir Gusakov noted at the NASB General Meeting on 26 April, BelTA informs.

“Last year, a prototype was shown. Now we are busy working on a completely Belarusian electric car. This is about a very complicated production mechanism. We are testing different system. We plan to roll out electric cars of different types: luxury vehicles, medium cars, and cars affordable for the general public. They must be comfortable and have an affordable price,” the NASB Presidium chairman said.

Today Belarusian scientists demonstrate a lineup of electric scooters, bikes, and mopeds. “These are Belarusian vehicles. The accumulators are also made in Belarus,” Vladimir Gusakov underlined.

The serial production of electric cars may be launched at a new company or at an existing one, BelGee, for instance. “This matter is yet to be discussed. First, we have to develop it and prove its efficiency and advantages. If our electric car is on par with the foreign analogues, we will consider producing it. Now we seek to make it competitive,” Vladimir Gusakov remarked.

“We have not abandoned the idea of an electric car. We are still working on it and have been making headway,” he summarized.

Vladimir Gusakov named some promising tasks for 2018: the production of brand new medicines and “smart materials” for different economic sectors (mechanical engineering, construction, and road building). Scientists will be working on new types of plant and competitive agricultural vehicles.

“The NASB is working in the contest of the international science. We set ambitious tasks in all fields,” the official stressed.

The NASB General Meeting has brought together around 500 academicians, representatives of universities and sectoral specialists, and also young scientists. The meeting participants discuss prospects for the development of the NASB and science in 2018 in view of the tasks set by the Belarus president at the Second Congress of Scientists.

As of 1 January 2018, the National Academy of Scientists had 88 academicians, 130 corresponding members, 4 honorary and 16 foreign members. In 2017, the total volume of work carried out by all the organizations affiliated with the NASB reached Br625.6 million (118.3% versus 2016). The exports of goods and services of the NASB-affiliated organizations grew by a third in 2017 to $47.7 million.

An additional $2.2 million was raised in grant funding. In 2017, the NASB continued it turn into the largest R&D corporation in Belarus and speed up the introduction of scientific developments intro the manufacturing process. Around 90 manufacturing facilities have been set up at the NASB R&D organizations.