Here's a gift for Bangalore on Environment Day by which it could well become an by which it could well become an 'electric-city', five years after the prototype launch, REVA, the promised electric car from the Maini stable, was finally launched here on Monday at a price tag of Rs.2,49,500. In the first year, the car will be offered only in Bangalore and the European and Japanese markets (where it will be priced at $7,000).

And, if the planned 700-800 vehicles aimed to be sold this year in Bangalore comes through, then the city will sport the largest number of electric cars in the world. Investments of Rs.80 crore have gone into the REVA project so far and a larger model of the existing car for the Indian market is also being planned. The company aims to sell 1,500 cars this year (including exports) and proposes to launch in other Indian cities next year.

Chetan Maini, MD, REVA Electric Car Company in which US-based AEVT, an affiliate of Amerigon Inc., holds 33 percent), said the company is expecting a downward revision in excise duty in the to-be announced auto policy for the battery-run vehicle, which is currently at close to 40 percent. If that happens, then more electronic parts can be included to pep up acceleration and the price will also drop by 5-8 percent depending on the cut in duties, he said.

Maini said it is unfortunate that battery-powered vehicles which reduce pollution were being taxes so highly but was hopeful that the situation will change. The current price tag is not expected to be deterrent because the operating costs of the vehicle would be very low, at about 40 paise per kilometre, requiring a battery charge every 80 km (which will cost Rs. 30-35 for six hours), and minimum maintenance.

REVA is being offered with a three-year, 40,000 km warranty and a battery change would be required only after four years, since replacing the battery will cost Rs.30,000, the company is planning instalement schemes so that customers would not be burdened, but that is still four years away, Maini said.

The totally gearless, 90 percent indigenised REVA will be sold from REVAlation Point at Lavelle Road in the city. REVA is a two-door hatchback that can seat two adults and two children comfortably and can go up to a maximum speed of 65 km per hour. The car is aimed at people who drive with in the city, those who wish to upgrade from two-wheelers, housewives, professionals, students and retired people.

Interestingly, worldwide, electric cars have not shown significant sales because people prefer larger cars, which can go at very high speed. In the US, GM and other companies have the technology for large electric cars meeting these specifications but they cost upwards of Rs. 16 lakh. India, China and European countries like Italy and France, on the other hand, which have traffic snarls and where speeds average 40 km per hour, often prefer the convenience of small cars.

"REVA has the maneuverability of an autorickshaw so it is ideal for our roads," Maini said. It will initially be available in six colours followed by 12 and an option of choosing one's colour at extra cost is also being offered.

- Deepanjali Bhas