Russian defence business Kalashnikov has unveiled an electric car prototype which it said will rival cars produced by Tesla.

The company, which is best known for its AK-47 rifles, said that its CV-1 car will travel up to 217 miles on a single charge of its 90 kilowatt hour battery.

“This technology will let us stand in the ranks of global electric car producers such as Tesla and be their competitor”, a spokesman for Kalashnikov Concern said.

Kalashnikov’s electric car is modelled on a 1973 Soviet hatchback, the IZh 2125 "Kombi". No release date has been given for the car, which remains at the concept stage.

The prototype was unveiled at the Army-2018 Forum defence conference outside Moscow. Earlier this week, the company announced a prototype for a 13-foot military robot which can walk on two legs.

Kalashnikov has sought to diversify its product line away from the AK-47 assault rifle, which it released in 1949. Since then, the company has unveiled products including boats, drones and clothing.