REVA Electric Car

India's REVA Electric Car Co. has experienced a sales growth of 25% in the past four months due to higher fuel prices and greater awareness and acceptance among consumers for electric cars.  The company was founded in 1994 and started selling its cars in May 2001.  According to its website "REVA is all set to become the largest manufacturer of EVs in the world."

REVA, a two door hatchback, seating two adults and two children, is designed to be a city car.  It has an onboard charger, requiring 7 hours for a full charge and 2.5 hours for an 80% charge.  The full charge has a range of 80 km (48 miles) and the 80 % charge has a range of 65 km (39 miles).  Top speed is 65 km/hr (39 mph).  The cars are 2.6 m (8.6 ft) long and 1.3 m (4.3 ft) wide.

All three models are equipped with a 13 kw (peak) motor.  Eight 6-Volt EV tubular type lead acid batteries are located under the front seat.  Regenerative braking extends the range.  The standard model has only basic features including tubeless tires. The REVA AC adds air conditioning  and a AM/FM radio.  The Classe has a remote controlled air conditioner/heater that can pre-cool the car while being charged or parked. It also is equipped with a high performance AM/FM cassette stereo, central locking, body colored bumpers, and two-tone leather seats.

The company has sold about 1,100 cars as of March 31, 2005, and forecasts sales of 1,500-2,000 cars in the next 12 months.  They have expanded their sales to include the UK,  Malta and Japan and have sold 250 cars in London.  REVA is being test-marketed in ten countries including in  Norway, Sri Lanka, the US,  Ireland, and Romania. The company can produce 6,000 units a year and is planing to expand its capacity to 50,000 cars a year. 

On August 26, 2005 the Business Standard reported that REVA's plans to expand production capacity by raising $15 million in private equity financing, from International Finance Cooperation and a group of Indian and oversees investors, had run into a snag when a few of the investors said they had to take a re-look at REVA.  Chetan Maini, MD, REVA Electric said: "We are having to re-look at our fund raising options as some investors other than IFC are rethinking. We are in active discussions with others and we will try to tie this up at the earliest."

Good luck to REVA.  This is the only EV I have seen (there are probably others) that looks at all practical and is marketed in the west.  It is truly a city car with its top speed limitation.  I believe it would be limited to areas where the speed limit was less than 35 mph if marketed in the US.  As they say on there website, it is ideally suited for use on islands.  Very limited sales in some very large metropolitan areas, but maybe a small niche.  With today's gas prices, due to Katrina, more people would be thinking about a car like this.

Resources:

REVA Electric Car Co., Bangalore India, company website
"Rising oil prices work well for Reva sales", Sify.com, 8/24/05
"Reva plan to raise $15 million hits speed breaker"  , Business Standard, 8/26/05

Technocrati tag: electric cars

Comments

[Danny]

I own one of the London cars and I'm really pleased with how it's working out. I've started a videoblog about it so that I can share my experiences.

[A. Ephraim]

The Car models look odd from other petrol car. I believe outside appearance, just like normal cars may vastly increase the sale and attract people towards it. Also it will be appreciated, if the model will be keep changing considering the public interest.

Also for charging and running, if it can use Solar Power, it will be wonderful and no need to depend upon Govt Electricity and it will save time.

thank you very much.

A. Ephraim.

[_vin_]

For this car to break into US markets, it will have to ramp up its top speed and range. It is not uncommon in most cities for a commuter to travel more than 40 miles per day. And with its top speed of 39 mph, I would suggest the spare tire be kept in the trunk if you plan to take this baby on a freeway. ("The spare tyre, designed to be at front, further helps in reducing impact" - Safety features from Reva Website)

A lithium ion or NiMH battery pack with solar charging capabilities might help increase range and top speed.

[Henry Smith]

Can I buy one of the cars to drive on the roads in Washington state in the US. I am
in real estate and it would be nice to have something that nobody else has. And a lot cheaper to drive. And that well save are air.

[t spencer]

Could someone please tell me where to find an outlet selling these cars in london
I have searched but been unsuccessful so far
thanks
T

[Sudip Banerjee]

I am interested know about the Price,Technology and Models of REVA Electric Car.

[Just Me]

This car is marketed in the UK as the G-Wiz by GoinGreen.
http://www.goingreen.co.uk/

More electric car info at
http://www.peswiki.com/index.php/Directory:Electric_Vehicles

[Harbans Singh Nanade]

I am interested know about the Price,Technology and Models of REVA Electric Car.

[George Lincoln Cole]

We have relocated in a golf community in Costa Rica Gasoline is 3times USA. Help us please.

[claytonian]

I'm interested in buying a REVA for use in Northern California. Where can I buy one?

[J. White]

I would like to see and buy the REVA for use on Whidbey Is. Wash. Where is it avaiable?

[lakshmi]

I am working as a Asst.Prof in engg colleeg.I ahve completed M.Tech in control systems.I am intrested to do phd in electric vehicles.I request you to help me for my phd.....I am intrested to work with you....
swarupa_malladi@yahoo.com
9849732190

[AJ]

http://www.g-wiz.org.uk/forums.htm

check out this website...for more information on this car. It is a g-wiz owner club (thats what it is being called in england..i dont know why? looks like toy name)

[James Chapman]

Watched a very interesting review on the G Wiz electric car last night. Tim Lovejoy from Channel 5’s Fifth Gear took to the streets of London to see if the £7,000 G Wiz was a practical enough vehicle. He found it wasn’t much use for taking the kids to school as it was a little on the small side for the children in the back but was adequate enough to get him self and his golf clubs in, so not too bad I suppose.

It is reckoned that the £7,000 price tag for the car will pay for its self within 1 year due to the car being exempt from the congestion charge, road tax, and can be parked for free in central London. The top speed of the car is just 40 mph and can travel for 40 miles on a single charge. In my eyes this is perfected for anyone living in the central of London.

[Used Car Parts]

This type of technology should be must be a concern of everyone. It is much cleaner and does considerable less damage to the environment Oil prices rose above $59 a barrel today 13/10/06 and it is predicted that it could rise as much as $100 per barrel.

The only disadvantage of owning an electric car is that they are usually quite slow; they cannot travel far due to the recharging aspect. Maybe we will see electric charging points in garages instead of fuel pumps. Even so I do think that people should be considering going all-electric in the future.

[Jimmi]

This car does seem all well and good but maybe we need to raise the bar of awareness a lil higher...

"ALTAIRNANO, PHOENIX AND BOSHART TO DEMONSTRATE ELECTRIC SUV AT ZERO EMISSION VEHICLE SYMPOSIUM...
The demonstration electric SUV is an early model of the commercially available vehicle, targeted for volume delivery in Spring 2007. This vehicle is planned to be capable of road speeds up to 95 mph, a driving range that is configurable up to 200 miles, a battery recharge time potential of less than 10 minutes, and an acceleration of 0 to 60mph in less than 10 seconds."

"ALTAIRNANO, PHOENIX AND BOSHART SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCH ELECTRIC SUV AT ZEV SYMPOSIUM...
Demonstration Rides Are Described As Remarkable...
'I enjoyed my test drive in the Altairnano powered electric SUV. I have driven many electric vehicles, including the General Motors EV1, and the Altairnano powered vehicle delivered excellent performance in acceleration and rapid battery recharge,' said John Waters Breakthrough Design Group leader at the Rocky Mountain Institute, a consulting organization with major clients in, among others, the transportation and defense sectors."

Above are excerps from Altair's press releases.

---------------------

I'm glad there is a company willing to raise the bar high and target a practical concept vehical that has a good chance of gaining tremendous market share in the US and the world abroad. Maybe even pull GM and/or Ford outta the red. Ofcourse I haven't seen a price tag on this full size SUV or their utility truck so if anyone knows please let us all know. I hope the price range is in the affordable category not like the Telsa.

I also hope this EV can be engineered to also consist an on-board gas generator that recharges battery cells while in motion. A few friends of mine tossed around the idea of a super-hybrid vehical. Although this idea won't be a zero emission vehical it has the potential of reducing emissions 50-75%, well exceeding the EPA guidelines for auto emissions for 2020. The best part of the idea is the fact that NO INFRASTRUTURE WILL BE NEEDED TO BE BUILD or atleast very minor changes to accomendate the over night charges on the power grid. With an onboard gas generator attached to an electric vehical, Phoenix Motorcars's EV will have a potential of driving cross country with no worries of recharging. Just pull over to a gas station to fill up a few gallons. And on normal day to day use, just plug it in the power grid at home for the more efficient way to refuel. This idea seems to be the next logical step to obtaining energy efficiency in an efficient manor. A compromise between the emerging technologies and the existing infrastructure. It's not the silver bullet but it will buy us some time till we find one.

For those of you who might be intrested, Phoenix Motorcars is located in Ojai, California and I think you can order thier EV for spring delivery!

[Vinil]

its good to see such cool blog.

I am interested to own one in Bangalore. Hopefully if the top speed is 90kmph, I will definitely take one.

I got sick with bangalore autos.

nice to see the comments also informative.

[patrick Thornton]

i love the designs of these small vehicals, and support the growth of these smaller companies, American Electric produces a great vehical sold in the US, called the Kurrent, just in case you cant get the REVA. all electric cars are good and a head in the right direction...www.getkurrent.com

[Doug Reagin]

The Kurrent is not going to cut it. It's too damn slow and not sufficient with its range. It's really a glorified golf cart. As one person stated in this blog "Where can I buy the REVA?" I think the REVA is the best bet for all around price and performance right now. Electric car manufacturers need to get real though and offer a competitive price (around $10,000-$20,000) but yet build an EV car that looks great. Once they do this it will sell like hot cakes here in the U.S.

[Ravi K. Majmundar]

Respected manager,
I am an electrical engineer curruntly looking for a job. My Goal is to design one electric vehical which will run and generate energy simaltaneously I want to use flexible photo voltaic cells with maximum power point tracking scheame which was my final year project. I have thinked so much about it But due to lake of finance i can't able to put it in practical. I am not telling that my project is totaly proof but with help of trial and error i can able make it possible. It is my dreem. I want to share my ideas with your company and wan't design car practicaly. Name of my car is multi-energy-car. Why i have selected that name i will tell you latter waiting for your reply

[matt]

"electric vehical which will run and generate energy simaltaneously" As an electrical engineer you should know this cant be done.
Newtons second law of perpetual motion...have fun trying to do the impossible....

[matt]

well let me take that back you can do it but you still need to have the vehicle running off of a gas motor of some sort...to produce enough energy to recharge a large battery source that an EV requires

[Lewis]

I'm a bigger fan of something like the Tesla Roadster, which actually looks like a sleek vehicle. I think people can get used to plugging in their cars at night, but wouldn't get used to driving around in a funny-shaped pod.

[Uma J]

I would like to know the price of REVA Electric Car

[Brian Wolf]

My company, rw1 research and I am the inventor of a new form of electric vehicle propulsion which essentially uses a travelling surface wave on a special elecdtroactive polymer sidewalk, road, or rail. This project is new but I welcome your comments at the blog listed

www.surfacewavecar.blogspot.com