Manufacturer's of India's first electrical passenger car, REVA Electric Car Company (RECC), launched the luxury version of REVA here today. Launching the REVA Classe, RECC managing director Chetan Maini said with the running cost of just 40 paise per kilometer, REVA gave 80 km on a single charge and could be charged "any where, any time" using only a 220 volt, 15-amp power source. REVA Classe has posh interior with accessories such as Kenwood Stereo System, security system with remote central locking and soft touch interiors "that will add to the lifestyle tastes of the customers."

REVA is ideal for city-dwelling nuclear families. It can carry two adults and two kids (227 kg). Its specially developed steel frame with side impact beams lead to a high level of reliability and safety on the roads. There is a three-year warranty for the state-of-the-art electronics including two on-board computers.

Maini expects the cost of the car will come down if Tamil Nadu government initiates tax exemptions to this environmental friendly car. He said the demand for small electric cars were growing across the globe especially in Europe in view of its environment friendly features. The world demand for such cars around the world at present was estimated to be around 80,000 units per annum.

"We expect to have at least 25 percent of our sales revenues to come from exports from next year", he added. Patel Automobiles in Nandanam is the dealer for the car in Chennai. Capacity expansion REVA, the country's first electric car, has decided to go in for a capacity expansion in next three months.

The capacity would be enhanced to 5000 cars per annum from the present 1500 cars, Chetan Maini, MD, said here on Wednesday. Maini who was in Chennai for the launch of the luxury version of REVA, 'REVA Classe' said at present, the company has a capacity utilisation of 50 percent. REVA cars have been sent to Nepal, Dhaka, Switzerland, UK and the US for certification purposes.

"We hope to commence exports from January 2003. At least, 25 percent of our production should be exported," Maini said.