REVA
NXG
Range of 200km and top speed of 120 kph
Launched at EVS 21 in Monaco in April 2005 by Mr. Kapil
Sibal, Minister of Science and Technology
REVA-NXG is unique in that it has advanced capabilities
in terms of speed and range. It is a two-seater roadster
with an extended range of 200 kilometres per charge and
a speed of 120 kilometres per hour. The car is powered by
a high performance 37 kW AC induction motor that drives
the front wheels, and uses Sodium Nickel Chloride batteries
in lieu of conventional lead acid batteries for extended
life. ‘REVA-NXG’s’ 4-wheel independent
suspension with integrated regenerative and hydraulic braking
system provides excellent handling and braking.
The
car is fitted with a “wireless tablet”, an embedded
appliance made by Encore Software that integrates into a
high-resolution single touch-screen display system all vehicle
dashboard functions such as Speed, State-of-Charge, Range
and critical sensor inputs as well as personal communication
tools such as GPS-based in-vehicle navigation, a GPRS Modem
for internet and e-mail, and MP3 music.
RECC
& FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGIES
REVA
Electric Car Company (RECC) has been working on future technologies,
the Fuel cell technology is the next zero polluting and
eco friendly alternate fuel solution of the future. President
Abdul Kalam launched REVA’s fuel cell prototype on
Technology Day in July 2004. Currently the REVA fuel cell
car is a technology development and not 
meant
for commercialization as yet. It is still at its nascent
stage world over and companies are looking at solutions
to make it commercially viable. REVA is one of the few manufacturers
worldwide to work in this field and is joined by companies
like General Motors, Honda and Toyota who have been working
on this technology. In India REVA is the first company to
develop Fuel Cell technology.
NEW
BATTERY TECHNOLOGIES
Some
of the limitations in an electric car are the ‘driving
range’ and the ‘refill time’. These are
basically areas characterized by the ability of the batteries
to ‘store’ energy and ‘recharge’.
Necessity,
they say, is the mother of invention.
Truly said!
The limitations posed by older battery technologies also
offer tremendous opportunities for invention.
A lot
of research all over the world is focused on alternate battery
technologies for traction applications. Several promising
technologies at various maturity levels are vying to become
the next technology alternative.
Reva,
as a frontrunner in EV technologies has also been actively
involved in research and adaptation of these technologies
to the EV platform.
Lithium
Ion and Lithium Polymer batteries represent some of the
most promising developments in this area.
Graph shows the energy density of various battery technologies
currently under consideration
consideration.
It
is quite visible that Lithium Ion batteries can pack a lot
more energy into every kg compared to the conventional lead
acid.
Look
at this ! A Li Ion car can achieve a driving range of upto
5 times the lead acid for the same weight of battery.
The other way round, one could use Batteries weighing a
fifth of their lead acid counterpart to get the same driving
range.
Lithium
Ion batteries are also capable of ‘accepting’
charge at a higher rate. One could build charge stations
that can charge a battery from zero to full in about an
hour. In addition, these batteries also have a longer life
and better ‘low temperature’ characteristics.
These advantages would immediately overcome several of the
long standing limitations of the EV.
Reva
has been constant collaboration with technology leaders
in the battery area and is developing on board computer
systems to effectively manage these batteries in the car.
Lithium Ion batteries would ultimately make the electric
car
Travel farther (longer driving range)
Charge faster (shorter charging time)
Live longer (longer period between battery
replacements) and
Work better everywhere (good cold climate
performance).
