REVA Electric Car Company (RECC) on Thursday launched India's first zero-polluting car, REVA, in Surat. Surat city is the third place where the electric car has been launched, the other two being Bangalore and Goa.

At the launch function organised at Hotel Holiday Inn, RECC chairman S.K. Maini said, "We are glad to bring India's first electric car to Surat. It's a matter of great pride for us to present a car that has not just been built to suit Indian conditions, but is also is nearly 92 percent indigenised." The RECC has appointed a Surat based dealer, Small Wonders, to deal with customers in the State.

The car is priced at Rs.2.54 lakh (ex-showroom). With a running cost of just 40 paise per km, REVA give 80 km on a single charge. It can be charged anywhere using a 220 volt, 15 amp power source. The top speed of the car is 65 km per hour and speed of the car is 65 km per hour and REVA's power pack, which costs about Rs. 26,000, has a life of 40,000 km. "Auto experts from Sweden who were invited to the launch at Bangalore termed this car as one of the smallest cars being manufactured across the world with the latest techonology.

Surat has become the third Electric vehicle (EV) city after Bangalore and Goa," Maini said.

When asked about the targeted sale in Surat, he said, "Surat is one of the fastest growing cities of Gujarat and has a high pollution level. As the car is competitively priced, we estimate that we'll sell some 200 units in a year.

We have got a good response - nearly 11 cars have been booked." Managing Director of Small Wonders Hitesh Gajjar said, "REVA is a rugged two-door hatchback that can seat two adults and two children comfortably.

It is the most eco-friendly and economical car in India and offers ease of driving (no clutch or gears), easy manoeuvrability and safety on the roads." "Since people of Surat are fond of trying out new things, we are sure that the car will attract more people in coming months," he added.

REVA has sold over 150 cars in Bangalore and Goa since it was launched 11 months ago by Vice-President Krishna Kant. "Since REVA is a zero-polluting car, we have requested the Gujarat Government to provide road tax concessions and offer a sales tax waiver to REVA owners," Maini said.