Peak traffic congestion forces use brakes clutch gear shift, over reving the engine putting up with that noise, and keep pedalling the clutch. You do not have to grin and bear it. Driving can be less painful. Just gentle right foot pressure on the accelerator pedal, an indiscernible while, no gear changes.

A real blessing in a bumper to bumper crawl. This is what the electric car has to offer. Your high bhp, 0 to 90 in twelve seconds gasoline guzzler certainly makes a fashion or status statement. But of what use is that bhp or the ability to cruise? City traffic rarely allows you a stretch free enough to get the speedometer needle really swinging.

Typical average speeds in the cities are less than 35 km/hr and the average distances traveled per day are less than 30 km. Low speeds, high pollution, gasoline prices and congestion weigh heavily in favour of the electric vehicle. Don't let the talk of low speed instead you. The REVA is capable of 65 km/hr and is pollution free. Some myths that need dispelling are the imagined fears of running out of battery power or the car being too slow to keep abreast with traffic. Both fears are baseless. Petrol cars do not run out of fuel unless you were careless, so too with electric cars!. The REVA comes with a power gauge that indicates the energy available in the power pack and enables you to drive or charge accordingly.

The REVA has great acceleration that lets you overtake with ease. A control knob, which enables frontward or reverse movement, has an additional forward mode for higher top speed. Most cruising on the car is done with the knob in economy mode that enhances driving range. A thoughtful safety feature is the limp-home mode. At fifteen percent of the power pack State of charge, the REVA automatically switches to this mode limiting acceleration and top speed. This mode is licensed to the reserve indication of the petrol driven vehicle and serves the same purpose.

No reason to fear being stranded. The car incorporates a unique Energy Management System, which performs key functions that collectively improve performance and reduce cost.

The EMS diagnostic functions are able to provide advance warning of power pack failure before reduction in performance impact the driver. The EMS communicates with a hand-held diagnostic unit (or laptop computer) for data acquisition and service diagnostics.

To put it simply, the system will reveal what is wrong with the functional components and even tell the service, technician what is likely to go wrong. All this contributes to longer life better maintenance and ultimate to the owner low operating costs. The electric car has the advantage of fewer or hardly any components that need periodic change. Belts, fitters, fluids, plugs are taken off your mind and your shopping list.

The body is made of lightweight colour impregnated co-extruded acrylic over ABS plastic. This means high impact resistance and the elimination of the painting process. All the little scratches and scars that are so upsetting when seen on paintwork are just not a problem here. The REVA is a two-door hatchback that seats two adults and two children.

It has a range of 80 kilometers and payload of 250 kg and a running cost of thirty-five of forty paise per kilometer. If your purpose of buying a car is commuting, urban driving second car option could there be a better prospect? The REVA is safe, efficient and makes an intellectual and environment conscious statement. When a product comes ahead of its time, there are always apprehensions.

Many years ago it was the fear of exploding pressure cookers and gas cylinders. Today no kitchen can be without one. The time is not so distant when no garage will be without an electric car.

- Wg.cdr. NF Kothawala (Rtd)