Mahindra REVA

For other uses, see Reva (disambiguation).
Mahindra Reva Electric Vehicles Private Limited
Industry Automotive
Founded 1994
Headquarters Bangalore, India
Products Electric vehicles
Parent Mahindra & Mahindra
Website Official site

Mahindra Reva Electric Vehicles Private Limited, formerly known as the Reva Electric Car Company, is an Indian company based in Bangalore, involved in designing and manufacturing of compact electric vehicles. The company's flagship vehicle is the REVAi electric car, available in 26 countries with more than 4,000 of its different versions sold worldwide by mid March 2011.[1][2] Reva was acquired by Indian conglomerate Mahindra & Mahindra in May 2010. In 2013, Mahindra REVA was selected as one of "The World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies 2013″ by Fast Company.[3]

History

The Reva Electric Car Company (RECC) was founded in 1994 by Chetan Maini, as a joint venture between the Maini Group of Bangalore and Amerigon Electric Vehicle Technologies (AEVT Inc.) of the USA.[4] The company's sole aim was to develop and produce an affordable compact electric car. Several other automakers were also aiming to do so, but in 2001 RECC launched the REVA.

REVAi electric vehicle

RECC joined up with several automotive experts to develop components for REVA. Curtis Instruments, Inc. of USA developed a Motor Controller specifically for the car. The car had a high-tech power pack for which Tudor India Limited supplied customized Prestolite batteries. The Charger for Reva was developed by Modular Power Systems of USA (a division of TDI Power). Later, RECC started manufacturing the charger themselves through a technical collaboration agreement between MPS and the Maini Group.[5]

In 2004 GoinGreen of the UK entered into an agreement with RECC to import REVA cars and market them under the G-Wiz moniker.

In 2006 Reva received an additional investment of $20 million from Draper Fisher Jurveston and Global Environment Fund (GEF).[6]

In 2008 a revamped REVA model was launched called the REVAi. The company started production of a Lithium-ion variant called the REVA L-ion in 2009.

In 2009 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Reva presented its future models Reva NXR and Reva NXG.[7] During the event Reva and General Motors India declared a technical collaboration to develop affordable EV for the Indian market.[8] As a result of this General Motors India announced an electric version of their hatchback in the New Delhi Auto Expo 2010: named the e-Spark, Reva was to provide battery technology.[9]

On 26 May 2010, India's largest sports utility vehicles and tractor maker Mahindra & Mahindra bought a 55.2% controlling stake in Reva. Following the deal, the company was renamed Mahindra Reva Electric Vehicles Private Limited.[10] Mahindra’s president of automotive business, Pawan Goenka, became the new company’s chairman. As a result of the ownership change General Motors pulled out of the tie-up with Mahindra Reva that was to produce the e-spark.[11]

In Feb 2011 GoinGreen, the UK's exclusive importer of the G-Wiz, announced that it was no longer stocking the model (although it would order them on a 4-6-week lead time when requested by customers).[12][13]

REVA and REVAi

The REVAi, known also as G-Wiz i, charging at an on-street station in London.
Main article: REVAi

Mahindra Reva currently produces two versions of the REVAi, an urban electric micro-car seating two adults and two children:

The REVA went on sale in India in 2001 and in the UK since 2003. The different versions of the REVA have sold more than 4,000 vehicles worldwide by mid March 2011[1] and is also available in the following countries: Bhutan, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Malta, Monaco, Nepal, Norfolk Islands, Norway, Peru, the Philippines, Portugal, Spain, and Sri Lanka.[2] The REVA is exempt from most European crash test rules, because its low weight and power registers it in the European "heavy quadricycle" category instead of the "car" category.

In 2005, Reva showcased the REVA-NXG, a two-seater roadster concept car with a nominal range of 200 km (124 mi) per charge and a top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph).[15]

Mahindra e2o

REVA NXR concept car.
Main article: Mahindra e2o

The Mahindra e2o, previously REVA NXR, is an urban electric car hatchback manufactured by the Mahindra Group. The e2o is the REVA G-Wiz successor and was developed using REVA's technology. The REVA NXR electric concept car was unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. Export production was initially scheduled for 2012. Production was initially scheduled for late 2010 with deliveries slated for early 2011.[16] The e2o was launched in India in March 2013 at a price of Rs 596,000 (US$11,000) after a 29% government subsidy granted by the state of Delhi. The e2o will also be launched at a higher price in Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, and Kochi. Mahindra also plans to launch the e2o in the European market during the last quarter of 2013.[17][18]

The electric car has a lithium-ion battery pack that takes five hours for a full charge, and with a weight of 830 kg (1,830 lb), delivers a range of 100 km (62 mi) and a top speed of 90 km/h (56 mph).[17][18]

REVA NXG

The 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show also saw the unveiling of a show car known as the NXG. The NXG features REVA's patented drivetrain technology and the REVive system. The two-seater sports car is expected to stand out for performance and speed.

Future

The next Generation of Reva, Reva NXG.

A new 30,000 capacity assembly plant in Bangalore has reached completion. It is currently the world's largest operational example of a plant specially dedicated to the assembly of battery electric vehicles. The entire building is LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) accredited allowing the company to boast one of the lowest dirt-to-dust carbon footprints in the automotive world.

Prior to the Mahindra acquisition, Reva had partnered with Bannon Automotive to set up an assembly plant in upstate New York to produce the NXR for the US market.

Top Gear

On the British motoring show Top Gear, presented by Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond on BBC, the G-Wiz (as REVAi is known in the UK) has been the object of much ridicule. Top Gear has on several instances, tried to destroy the G-Wiz, or make fun of it by stating their opinion that the G-Wiz has a bad battery life, poor acceleration, overall design, and safety.[19]

There is also a Drag race held in Top Gear show, where British motoring cars are challenged against the German rivals. In this program, James May drives the G-Wiz (As Called in UK). This comes last while competing against the Super Cars.

See also

Electric vehicle industry in India

References

  1. 1 2 Praveena Sharma (17 March 2011). "Govt subsidy may rev up Reva sales". Daily News & Analysis India. Retrieved 31 March 2011.
  2. 1 2 "Mahindra REVA: Petrol-free REVA". REVA Electric Car Company. Retrieved 25 February 2012. Click on Sales and Service Locator
  3. ↑ "MAHINDRA REVA in Most Innovative Company".
  4. ↑ "About us". Archived from the original on 7 January 2001.
  5. ↑ "Other Collaborators". Archived from the original on 9 April 2001.
  6. ↑ "Indian EV maker Reva gets extra $20 million investment". Autoblog Green.
  7. ↑ "Frankfurt 2009: Reva NXG looks ready to stomp, NXR is ready for order". Autoblog Green.
  8. ↑ "GM India and Reva announce electric vehicle partnership". Autoblog Green.
  9. ↑ "Auto Expo 2010: e-Spark headed here in October". Business Standard Motoring.
  10. ↑ "India's Mahindra buys majority stake in Reva". AFP. 26 May 2010.
  11. ↑ "GM to pull out of e-Spark project". Business Standard Motoring.
  12. ↑ "Report: UK Sales of G-Wiz electric car to end this fall". Autoblog Green.
  13. ↑ "Is the G-Wiz electric car finally dead?". Rory Reid. 17 February 2011. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  14. ↑ Yoney, Domenick (4 January 2009). "Reva Electric Car Company offering lithium ion option". Autobloggreen.com. Retrieved 15 October 2010.
  15. ↑ "Reva NXG Electric Car". Tomw.net.au. Retrieved 15 October 2010.
  16. ↑ "Reva explains "rescheduling" of pilot production of NXR electric car". AutoblogGreen. 31 March 2010. Retrieved 12 June 2010.
  17. 1 2 "Mahindra launches electric car 'e20' priced at Rs 5.96 lakh". The Indian Express. 18 March 2013. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
  18. 1 2 Antony Ingram (18 March 2013). "Mahindra E2O Electric Minicar Launches In India, Nee Reva NXR". Green Car Reports. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
  19. ↑ "The G-Wiz Electric Car Crumples Like A Tin Can". Jalopnik.
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