First electric car launched in Bangalore

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, JUNE 4. Reva Electric Car Company (RECC), a member of the Maini group, today launched REVA, the country's first ``electric car'' in Bangalore. Specially built to suit the requirements of city driving in India, the Reva has been dubbed a zero pollution vehicle. Bookings for the car have already begun and the first batch of cars would be handed over to customers by this month end.

``The REVA is a shining example of our resolve to use the best technology available in the world and integrate it with manufacturing practices in India to present a world-class product,'' The Maini group Chairman, Mr. Sudarshan Maini, told presspersons here on Monday.

The REVA is a rugged two-door hatch back that can seat two adults and two children. The car has no clutch or gears and is easy on maneuverability. ``It is ideally suited to city driving and several Bangaloreans have already shown keen interest in the car,'' Mr. Maini said.

With a running cost of 40 paise per kilometre, the REVA will be priced at Rs. 2.50 lakhs in Bangalore. ``The REVA's Power Pack has a life of 40,000 km, which should last three to four years with city driving. It gives 80 km on a single charge and can be charged anywhere, anytime, at home or at work, using only a 220- volt, 15-amp power source.''

The key technologies of the REVA are its steel space frame, an energy management system that adopts proprietary technology and the motor controller that has been developed in collaboration with Curtis.

Manufactured at its facilities in Bommasandra near here, the company plans to roll out 1,500 cars in the first year going up to 12,000 vehicles in three years. The car will initially be available only in Bangalore with a phased national launch planned over the next year. ``Besides the domestic market, the potential for export of the car has already shown encouraging signs with several queries from buyers across the world including the U.K., Japan, Nepal, Burma, Israel, Norway and Sri Lanka.''

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