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INDIA'S smallest ever car, Badal, was conceived
and produced in Bangalore. India's first-ever small car was also
planned out here, except that Maruti beat Dolphin by a mile and
more.
Now India's first electric car, the REVA, made
in Bangalore is being coveted in India and across the globe. "I
always knew the time was right," says the young Chetan Maini, who
gave up a lucrative career in the USA where he had developed six
electric, solar and hybrid-electric vehicles to return to his home
city and "make India proud."
"I know at Rs 2.49 lakh, it does sound costly,
but when you take into consideration that similar electric cars
made by major foreign car companies cost upwards of $20,000, this
is the cheapest.
The REVA comes with tubleless tyres, has an operating
cost of just 40 paise per km, has a three-year warranty and practically
zero maintenance." Students of various engineering colleges in Bangalore
have for years worked on solar and electric powered cars.
The latest example is a fine model of a solar powered
car created by students of the R.V.Engineering College. "I believe
electric cars have a great future in India as well as all over the
world.
In some states of the USA, the administration is
offering free parking facilities for electric cars. I'm sure in
the years to come more countries will encourage the development
of cars that run on less polluting fuels.
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And yes, many people ask me why not solar-powered
cars? My answer is, at the technology level we are at, an electric
car is the best bet."
Q. There have been numerous models of new-fangled
cars manufactures in many countries. A couple of thousands sold
and the companies fold up. Are you in this business for the long
run ?
A. Definitely. This is not a fly-by night operation.
This is for real. I want to make newer models, explore the global
market. There's much at stake here.
Q. What will you do when competition hots up ?
A. By the time that happens I'm sure we would have
already carved a niche for ourselves.
Q. What has been the Indian and global response
to your car ?
A. We have just introduced the car in the Bangalore
market and the sales have been excellent. We are setting up are
national distribution network. We are in negotiations with dealers
from neighbouring countries.
I believe in my very bones we will succeed.
- Allen J. Mendonca
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