He broke into a sweat. The same argument repeated itself. If he were to make India's first electric car that can be driven anywhere else in the world, he had to compete with superior technology and price. And this could not be achieved if the components were to be imported. Which meant he had to localise manufacture to avoid customs duty. He got on the phone. Fixed up a meeting with the chief of Exide, USA that produced chargers for electric vehicles and convinced him to set up a production facility in India.

Seven years after its conception, Sudarshan Maini (69) is glad that 95 percent of India's first electric car, REVA, is indigenous (barring typres from France, a motor from Bulgaria and a Curtis controller from the US) and its quality compares with the best in the world. The basic body shell of the REVA is made of dent proof Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Polymer (simply pushing out the dented area brings it back to shape), one of the strongest polymers known to man. In the process, Maini also scored on the price.

The REVA that costs Rs 2.495 lakh in India and between $7,000 and $10,000 abroad is much cheaper than its European counterparts, the Honda City Pal ($Rs 25,000), Ford Think ($20,000) and Alto ($24,000). Conceptualised in 1994, the Rs 80 crore car project finally took off when the first REVA was delivered to the customer's doorstep on July 30 this year. In the past 120 days, the Maini Group has sold over 80 REVAs and is now poised to go international. They are collaborating with automobile distributors and manufacturers to increase its presence outside the country.

According to Maini, they are looking at selling 100 cars a month in two years' time. The arrangement is straightforward: the distributors and manufacturers of cars in Europe buy the REVA from the Mainis and sell it in their countries for a price that will be between 20 and 50 percent higher than rates in India. While the group has identified two manufacturers, one each in Norway, UK and Israel. More are on the anvil. If Auto India magazine dubs the performance of the REVA as sprightly and on par with a car buretteed Maruti 800, Bernd Bohr of Mico Mosch has found the acceleration of the REVA surprisingly good and well suited to the medium speed driving conditions in Indian cities.

However, automobile expert Murad Ali Baig, has his misgivings. "It mainly depends on the cost benefit ratio," he said. "The REVA is smaller and less practical than a Maruti 800 and less value than a second hand model." But Baig did agree that REVA will have a market of its own: "It is cute and will appeal to many with a social concern and will also appeal to some who want to be different. But I don't think it will have a big market." The owners of the REVA, however, love it for everything that it is. And everything that it is not.

Take for instance, Audrey Mayben (25), regional manager at a jobs portal and whose husband owns a micro light aircraft. She owned a Maruti Gypsy and was looking to buy a small car. Since her job forced her to be on the road most of the time, she ended up driving an average of 50 kilometres a day. This meant problems with parking and maneouvrability and getting short-changed at the petrol bunk.

With the REVA, her problems are down to zero. What's more, the REVA saves the bother of changing gears. It has none. "It's very good for women and food fun to drive the car," Mayben said. "Whenever I am at a traffic junction, I imagine 12 REVAs would mean so much less pollution."

Environment-friendliness aside, the REVA also has to do with fuel economy. "The Gypsy was pinching me, It has a fuel efficiency of 10 km per litre. For the same amount, REVA gives me 80 kilometres per charge of 10 units (which costs Rs three per unit).

When Karan (!6) and Deepshika Tandon (20) decided to buy a car, they had three options; REVA, Santro or an Esteem. They chose the REVA, with good reason; No gears, no petrol. Deepshika likes it because it's a traffic stopper. "I like the attention when people stop the car at signals and ask me all about the car. I feel I have become the car's brand ambassador."

Mayben had a similar experience: "I think I must have sold the REVA to about 50 people so far. Many people have stopped their vehicle and run towards my car to check what it's all towards my car to check what it's all about. Some people look back while driving when they spot a REVA." For Karan, driving the REVA is a bit like Go Karting, "but on the roads," The REVA also has many uses for many people.

If Mayben has folded the back seat to make it resemble a sports coupee, SM Arshed (28), CEO, Cyber Signs, the outdoor advertising company, has spent Rs 25,000 for Santro fog lamp lens, mag wheels for greater grip and better look, Napolean mirrors, bucket seats, and has even painted the bumper from grey to black. Managing Partner of Urban Edge, PM Ananth Narayan (29) bought a REVA for his wife Kavita (28) even though he owned a Corsa and an Indica for the sheer comfort in driving. It's ideal for a woman and a small family," Kavita said. "When I drove the Indica, it would jerk and stop, but with REVA, I have had no such problems while going shopping or to the library.

It's also easy to park, very light and therefore very easy to manoeuvre." Narayan drives a Corsa, but whenever he gets the chance, he 'steals' the REVA from his wife. When the Mainis come out with an air-conditioned REVA by next summer, Narayana intends to buy one for himself. He might also have to buy one for his three-year-old son, Aman. "He is already trying to drive the REVA, He thinks it's a toy car," said Narayan. But for the Mainis, it's business as usual. They plan to sell 1,000 cars in the first year and intend to break even by 2003 selling 4,500 cars.

Though there are no plans to lower the cost, the company plans to give more value-additions to the existing REVA. Which, according to the Mainis, is much better than Los Angeles that has only 500 electric vehicles while France, Nepal and Switzerland have about 400 each. While the first electric vehicle was made in 1834 and used for taxi service, milk floats and trolleys, the Mainis intend to market the concept to one and all and then branch out to provide battery-powered public transport in the form of three-wheelers, buses and city taxis. "Since we had to start somewhere, we have started with a family car that will make a huge impact in a city which is 3,000 feet above sea level and is more affected by the air and noise pollution in the atmosphere," said Maini. "We have a very strong research and development team.

So, adapting to a variation of different technologies is a lot easier. A year down the line, you will see more models coming out of the assembly line."

- Zahid H. Javali