Bangalore based REVA Electric Car Company, the manufacturers of 'REVA', unveiled the Deluxe model of the car at the Auto Expo 2002, which is currently being held here. REVA, which was launched in May 2001 in Bangalore, is the country's first electric car and it has received an overwhelming response due to the fact that it is India's first eco-friendly car.

The first consignment of cars will be dispatched shortly. REVA, is currently available in Karnataka and is slated for launch in Goa, where the company has recently appointed a dealer. However price for REVA Deluxe has bot yet been decided upon. India's first and only commercially available electric car will be on display at the Auto Expo 2002, till January 22. REVA has entered into an agreement with financial major, ICICI to facilitate the purchase of REVA. This tie-up is the first of its kind for the purchase of an electric vehicle in India.

As per the Income Tax Act, companies, self-employed people and professionals who file their tax returns are entitled to 100 percent depreciation on the purchase of REVA in the first year itself as against the 20 percent deduction on any other conventional car.According to the company's press release, REVA is a rugged two-door hatch back that can seat two adults and two children comfortably. REVA's is said to be the most friendly and economical car on the Indian roads today and has an operating cost of just forty paisa per kilometer.

The car is easy to drive as it has no clutch or gears. In addition, with a small turning radius, the REVA is also very easy to maneuver and park on city roads. The deluxe model has accessories like upgraded interiors; soft touch dashboard, music system, blower and also optional accessories like a defroster and heater. The main feature that the new model will have is climate control seats.

The climate controls operate through a self-generating cooling and heating system that is integrated into each seat. This system is based on the solid-state heat pump technology from aerospace technology.

The system temperature is regulated by the seat occupant via a switch. The 'conditioned' air is circulated through the seat surfaces to the seat occupants by a uniquely designed fan mounted into the structure of each seat. The cooling system uses environmentally friendly coolants, in-line with eco-friendly vision that REVA propagates.

CCS is currently available in only three other cars in the world and the new variant of REVA will be the first car in India that will have such a system. The car has received the Dr. M.S. Swaminathan award for Environment Protection for the year 2001.

The REVA is currently exported to Nepal under a three-year agreement with Ecovisions Pvt. Ltd. Of Nepal the REVA Electric Car Company, a joint venture between the Maini Group and AEVT Inc. of Irvindale, California, is an enterprise guided by a strong conviction in safeguarding the environment for future generations, the press note added.