REVA: The Eco-Friendly Car

REVA, the revolutionary Indian car is by all means an environment friendly car as it runs on Electric power with no emissions and pollution. REVA is a battery run car and has an on-board charger to facilitate easy charging, which can be carried out by plugging into any 15 Amp socket at home or work. REVA, India's first electric car, is the best eco-friendly car ever produced. REVA is fully automatic car and has no clutch and gears. Its small turning radius of 3.5m makes it easy to park and navigate in difficult city traffic conditions. REVA is twice as efficient as a petrol driven car and has an operating cost as low as Rs 0.4 / km. REVA is also a very safe car and has safety features like dent-proof ABS body panels, side-impact beams, a steel space frame and dual-braking system.

The car REVA comes in three variants, REVA Standard, REVA AC and REVA Classe. The latest addition to the REVA range is REVAi which is a small 2-door hatchback measuring 2.6-metre long, 1.3-metre wide and 1.5-metre high. Weighing in at 750 kg, the car can accommodate two adults of average height in the front and two children in the rear. The rear seats fold down to increase cargo space. Maximum passenger and cargo weight is 227 kilograms.

REVAi is certified by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) and the European Economic Community (EEC), paving the way for the REVAi to gain a foothold in the UK and Europe. The REVA Electric Car Company is the recipient of the SESI-Business Leadership Award (Electric Vehicles) in 2005, the Golden Peacock Innovative Product Award in 2004, the Thomas Alva Edison Award for Innovation in 2002 and the Dr M.S. Swaminathan Award for Environment Protection in 2001.

The REVA runs on eight 6-volt lead acid batteries that create 48 volts, and has an onboard charger to facilitate easy charging by plugging into any 15 Amp socket. Power flows through a 350 ampere motor controller to a DC motor rated at 4.8 kW (6.5 hp) and can handle up to 13.1 kW (17.5 hp). A small turning radius of just 3.5 metres makes the REVA easy to park and best-suited for city commutes. The car has a maximum speed of 80 kmph and a maximum range of approximately 80 km (50 miles) on a full charge. The REVA uses approximately nine units of electricity for a full charge, which works out to an average running cost of about 40 paisa per kilometer. An intelligent 'low battery' warning light and energy gauge allow for easy estimation of driving range. The front features independent McPherson Struts, and the rear has an A-arm with Panhard rod and coil-over shock absorbers. Four-wheel dual circuit hydraulic brakes, with integrated regenerative braking, provide impressive stopping power. REVA requires minimal maintenance because of the minimum number of moving parts.

The REVAi has a quaint appeal to it unlike any other car in the hatchback segment. REVAi's modular design allows easy upgradation of the next generation Electric Vehicle technologies. The body is tall, rising up from a flat windscreen; large wheels ride on a small wheelbase. Features like Climate Control Seat (CCS) and remote controlled AC provide comfort to passengers. Funky interiors incorporate a sweeping dash, thick steering wheel and prominent 'power' switch. Customers have a choice of personalising colour schemes from over 2,000 shades. A remote lever opens the rear hatch without any manual involvement.