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This novel car, recently launched, will run
on electricity with zero emission which in turn will reduce air
pollution. REVA, INDIA'S first electric car, was launched in Bangalore,
literally with a bang.
Maini Group's Mr. Chetan Maini, the M.D of REVA
Electric Car Company (RECC) took a hammer as big as his forearm
and let it fly against the cute little two-door hatchback car's
rear fender, startling the invitees who watched.
But there was not a dent nor even a scratch on
the "victim" car. "Its ABS body panels are dent proof," he beamed.
At 2,638 mm., it is shorter and narrower than a Maruti 800, but
can seat two adults and two children (or luggage in place of two
children). It runs at 40 paise per km. Compared to Rs.30 for most
other four wheelers. It is economical because it is an electric
vehicle. It is India's first, and will hit the roads by the end
of June, at a cost of Rs. 2,49,500. Bookings have already begun.
The launch of the "electricity" car was on June
4, the eve of World Environment Day, to highlight that is for a
cleaner environment. It has only a break, an accelerator and has
zero emission. The vehicle has no gears, clutch, engine, carborator,
radiator or exhaust - all of which makes it non-polluting. Driving
this elegant, light, yet rugged vehicle is an experience. Release
the hand brakes, switch on to forward mode and press the accelerator.
It leaps to life, quickly reaching 65 km. per hour.
Stop at a red light and it is so silent that it
feels 'dead', but do nothing till the light turns green and then
simply press the accelerator again. Its brake, with power-assisted
feel, not only stops the vehicle, but is what they call regenerative
- it provides charge every time one breaks. REVA's manouevrability
is another delight. It has the smallest radius in its class and
needs the least space to park among all cars on the road today .
The switch has four functions - forward, reverse,
economy and neutral. REVA is powered by eight six-volt lead acid
batteries which have a life of 40,000 km. or three years. (After
that one can buy another power plant for Rs.30,000).
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They call it the electricity car as it can run
for 80 km on a single charge of electricity using the usual 220
volt 15 amp power source. "It can be recharged any time, anywhere,
in the convenience of your home, or at your work place," said Mr.
Chetan Maini. " No more queuing at petrol bunks. Just plug in, charge
and take off. With REVA, engine tunning, changing expensive oils
and filters, replacement of spark plugs and mufflers, all become
things of past," he adds.
REVA is manufactured at Bommasandra and the company
plans to roll out 1,500 cars in the first year, with the target
of 12,000 in three years. To start with, it will only be available
in Bangalore, and later on in other cities. It has 1,000 components
which is far fewer than other cars and 80 per cent of them are indigenised.
"We need to sell 3,000 vehicles actually to break even, and have
invested to break even, and have invested Rs. 80 crore," said Mr.
S.K. Maini, Chairman, who explained that the Government is approached
for reducing the excise duty and give concessions for using non-conventional
fuel. When granted, it would bring down the retail price to the
consumer.
REVA is the name of Mr. Maini's wife, and Frank
Wisner, former US Ambassador suggested that the car be so named
because it rolls off the tongue easily and incorporates the letters
'e' and 'v' for electric vehicle. For running this four-wheeler
at the cost of a two-wheeler, there is a beeper to indicate completion
of 50 km. (of the 80 km) on a single charge.
Targetted at two-wheeler owners seeking upgrade,
it would equally interest women, retired persons or college-goers
and even corporates who can claim 100 percent depreciation for REVA
in the first year.
- Arun Bhatia
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