Reva, the Revolution…
While on Bangalore roads many must have observed tiny traveller silently waying through and bettering between autos and cars.. yeah, It about an electric car called ‘Reva‘ and it’s in the news yet again…
Recently REVA became the first Indian automobile company to receive $20 million in funding led by Draper Fisher Jurveston and Global Environment Fund. The money will be used by the car manufacturer to expand its global reach.
It is a fully automatic (no clutch – no gears), two-door hatchback, easily seating two adults and two children. A small turning radius of just 3.5 meters makes it easy to park and maneuver in difficult city traffic conditions. A full battery charge takes less than seven hours and gives a range of 80km. In quick-charge mode (two-and-a-half hours) 80% charge is attained, good enough for 65km. A full charge consumes just about 9 units of electricity. More…
Being the ‘Most Ethical car’ award winner in the UK Reva is all set to revolutionize the ethical means to be on global roads from Bangalore…Here is a Pod cast interview with Chetan Maini, Deputy Chairman and CTO of Bangalore based Reva Electric Car Company by Kamla bhatt
I wish to have this cutie car someday !!!! *dreaming*
Even though the great thing about this raving care is its non pollution as advertised, however the minus points are:
a) Somewhere coal or wood has to be burned to generate that electricity being used.
b) The battary is another natural disaster. It does contaminate the environment to quite an extent
c) The cost of this battery which needs to be replaced every 3 year is in the range of 40000 INR!!
If not for the above, i would have purchased this out right.
cheers
mohan!
Range is the problem. 80km claimed, 65-70 actual per charge is a bit less. If they can raise that to 150-200 km per charge, that’d be great.
Other problem is price – these ‘tiny’ things are expensive. Government needs to encourage them a bit via better tax support and breaks.
I bet the technology isn’t cheap, but this company called Tesla Motors has made tall claims.
I saw a fuel cell powered Reva at Aero India 2007, joinly developed with DRDO or one such defence organisation. That is even better than the electric one. Way to go.
The Tesla is set to be built in my “back yard”, Albuquerque New Mexico. The first ones over have already been produced in the U.K.
I’m already getting pessimistic about these new “wonder vehicles”, however. Mohan summed up the reasons why, better than I could have.
Unless you’re running them on Solar or Wind energy, the impact on the environment won’t change much.
-Robert
These vehicles are yet to go a long way… but such alternatives are needed and any start is a good one.
Coming to Reva – The 80 km per charge is way too less for me… There are times when I have had to do close to 100km of driving in a day just within the city. Plus, it just doesn’t work out as a family car. Personally it doesn’t work for me (at this moment). If Bangalore can have a well developed public transport system, things would be a lot easier for Bangalore in the future to come. Hope the upcoming Metro meets this need.
I dunno – I am fascinated by this car and would really like to have this as my second car. I am sure my wife would enjoy driving this to work.
Of course, at 3.4L with A/C, the price really puts you off!