The first step towards electric
vehicle was initiated by Reva. The car Reva
comes in three variants,
Reva Standard, Reva Classe. The latest addition to the
Reva range comes with small 2-door hatchback measuring 2.6-metre long,
1.3-metre wide and 1.5-metre high. Weighing in at 750 kg, the car can
accommodate two adults of average height in the front and two children in the
rear. The rear seats fold down to increase cargo space.
Maximum passenger and
cargo weight is 227 kilograms.
Revai is certified by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) and
the European Economic Community (EEC), paving the way for the REVAi to gain a
foothold in the UK and Europe. The REVA Electric Car Company is the recipient of
the SESI-Business Leadership Award (Electric
Vehicles) in 2005, the Golden Peacock Innovative Product
Award in 2004, the Thomas Alva Edison Award for Innovation in 2002 and the Dr
M.S. Swaminathan Award for
Environment Protection in 2001.
The Reva runs on eight 6-volt lead acid batteries that create 48 volts, and has
an onboard charger to facilitate easy charging by plugging into any 15 Amp
socket. Power flows through a 350 ampere motor controller to a DC motor rated
at 4.8 kW (6.5 hp) and can handle up to 13.1 kW (17.5 hp). A small turning
radius of just 3.5 metres makes the
Reva can be easily parked and
best-suited for city commutes. The car has a maximum speed of 80 kmph and a
maximum range of approximately 80 km (50 miles) on a full charge. The Reva uses
approximately nine units of electricity for a full charge, which works out to
an average running cost of about 40 paisa per kilometer. An intelligent ''low
battery'' warning light and energy gauge allow for easy estimation of driving
range. The front features independent McPherson Struts, and
the rear has an A-arm with Panhard rod and coil-over shock absorbers.
Four-wheel dual circuit hydraulic
brakes, with integrated regenerative braking, provide
impressive stopping power. REVA requires minimal maintenance because of the
minimum number of moving parts.
Tokyo
(AP): Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, took Japan''s latest eco-friendly cars out
for a spin on Friday to show off his environmental awareness ahead of next
week''s G-8 summit meeting. The plant is expected to start production by 2009
and the company is expected to roll out Jazz from there.
Japanese car major Honda is all set to
display its car ''Jazz'' concept, which could be a prototype of its first small
car in India
during the upcoming Auto Expo in January.
The company has identified environment as a theme
for its participation in the Expo and would display its globally best selling hybrids
-- the Civic Hybrid and fuel cell FCX.
"Our theme for the Auto Expo would be based on
environment-friendly products. We would also showcase our Formula 1 racing car.
Both the hybrids and F1 cars require quite advanced technologies and we would
be showcasing our leadership in technology during the Auto Expo," Honda
Siel Cars India Senior General Manager Marketing, Jnaneswar Sen said.
Honda hybrids would share space with small car Jazz
concept and a new version of the top-end sedan Accord that was recently
displayed at the Tokyo Motor Show as ''Honda Inspire'', sporting 2.4 lt petrol
engine.