POLLUTION filled roads! Vehicles emitting black smoke choking the population! These are situations one commonly comes across in the metros and things are getting from bad to worse. A new happening in the car manufacturing field could be an effective solution and finally throw some light at the end of the tunnel.

REVA Electric Car Company, a part of the Bangalore-based Maini Group is all set to launch an eco-friendly and highly economical car 'REVA' which is being jointly manufactured by the REVA Electric Car Company in collaboration with Amerigon Electric Vehicle technologies Inc of USA (AEVT). REVA is the brainchild of Mr. S.K. Maini who dreamt of a small car for the Indian Market, which would be both eco-friendly and highly economical.

According to Maini, the world has come to realise the importance of electric cars in today's highly polluted city environment. Electric vehicles are non polluting and quite noiseless. REVA will be India's first electric car to be commercially produced and would be priced at Rs.1.92 lakh. REVA offers hassle free driving with no gears and no clutch. REVA drives like an automatic geared vehicle ideal for 'stop and go' city driving.

With a low running cost of only 40 paise per km, you have no worry about high commuting expenses, says Maini. With no engine, carburettor, gearbox, radiator or exhaust, REVA has minimal maintenance costs. Besides, REVA's body panels are made of dent proof Acryline Butadiene Styrene (ABS) polymer, he adds.

Other features of REVA are its suspension, which has passed the unique 'shaker test' forever 25,000 km.

Front MacPherson single a-arm with coil spring in the rear allows for good road handling and a smooth drive. REVA's electronic regenerative braking provides 'power assist' feel and improves vehicle range. High on economy and convenience with REVA, engine tuning, change of engine oils and filters, replacement of spark plugs and mufflers are all things of the past. REVA promises to deliver what today's harried city commuter desperately needs with mobility and the convenience of a 4-wheeler, at the operating cost of a 2-wheeler. It can be recharged anytime, anywhere - at home or at work place.

No more queing at Petrol bunks, just plug in, charge up and zoom ahead. REVA has a unique steel space frame that cocoons passengers in the event of a collision. It also has side impact beams, a dent proof body made of ABS a high-density polymer, a frontal crush zone, energy absorbing bumpers that all enhance the safety of the passengers. Besides, the power pack is housed below the seats, lowering the centre of gravity and providing REVA excellent stability and road grip.

Another optional facility in this car is its climate control seats (CCS), which can be controlled individually to suit heating and cooling preferences of passengers. According to Mr. Maini, REVA will also exported in the first year of launch to Nepal, Sri Lanka, HongKong, Thailand etc.

The company is expecting an initial production of 1500 cars in the first year of its launch, which will subsequently increase to 12,000 cars by the fourth year.

- M. Stephen Abraham