In January 2009, the REVA L-ion was introduced. This car used the same platform as the G-Wiz i, but upgraded to a lithium-ion battery pack. The Li-Ion pack shaved 200 lbs off the weight and extended the range to 75 miles or 120 km.
Then REVA revealed the NXR, a new EV design. The NXR comes in two models: the NXR City, and the NXR Intercity. This car has been further tested and standardized with regard to NCAP safety regulations.
The IC (Intercity) version of the car now tops out at 65 mph, (104 kph) with a range near 100 miles or 160 km. The NXR features an advanced electronics system with a low battery warning and enough reserve to get you to a charging point. Now that's great design! Price on the NXR varies with battery setup. Cost is about 10,000 euros ($15,000 US) with lead acid batteries, and 14,000 euros ($21,000 US) with the lithium battery pack.
Finally, REVA is working on a sports version of the NXR termed the NXG. This car will hit 80 mph (130 kph) with a 125 mile or 200 km range. The price will hit closer to 23,000 euros ($32,000 US). REVA projects a 2011 production run of 30,000 NXGs to begin with in their solar powered plant. The company expects revenues of $500-600 million US for the effort.
Reva plans may be affected by recent business developments. Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M), a large commercial vehicle concern, has just announced an intent to purchase 55% of Reva. M&M wants to invest 10 million USD in REVA and change the name to Mahindra Reva Electric.
Reva was to team up with GM to produce a Reva-like EV called the Beat. The Beat claimed 60 hp and a 130 km/80 mile range. The beat has stopped however.
Reva Financing
Reva wants to sell some 20,000 more electric cars in the next year or so. To facilitate the plan, Reva is counting on Bank of India lowered EV interest rates, as well as its own so called attractive finance schemes. Extra charge points in the works as part of the National Electric Mobility Mission for 2020 are expected to reduce range anxiety and boost sales as well.
4,600 G-Wiz and Reva i models sold at about $9,000 USD each.
The REVA Electric Car Co. designs and manufactures electric cars in Bangalore, India. RECC is a joint venture between Indian and US venture capitalists. The company has been marketing electric cars since 2001 in India and since 2003 abroad. REVA has sold near 4,750 EV units since 2001.
The REVA has evolved from an NEV to a serious EV. There have been 4 main generations of REVA cars:
G-Wiz: This was the first REVA EV or NEV. The G-Wiz topped out at 25 mph (40 kph) with a 50 mile (80 km) range. It featured a 48 volt electrical system pushing a 4.8 kW motor (continuous) with 9.6 kWh of storage.
G-Wiz i: This car featured a 13 kW AC drive motor pushing the car to a top end of 50 mph (80 kph). The G-Wiz i used the same battery pack as the G-Wiz, giving it about the same range. The rig weighed in at 1,470 lbs or 668 kg and had standard modern safety features. It also passed crash tests.
Reva technology will be incorporated into the new Chevy Spark. The Spark project was developed a few years ago, then abandoned. It now looks like GM is interested in producing a very Reva like car with a 20 kWh pack and 80 mile range.
The New Chevy Spark
The 2013 NXR will be available in two models, lead acid and lithium-ion battery variations.
The PB-A will give the car an 80 km (50 mph) top end and 80 kilometer (50 mile) range. The Li-Ion car will have double the range at 160 km or 100 miles and top out at around 104 kph or 65 miler per hour.
Reva sold 470 electric cars in 2011
and states the goal of selling 30,000 EVs a year by 2015-16.
4,600 G-Wiz and Reva i models sold
Reva e20 a renamed NXR on sale
for 5.96 lakh or about 11,000 USD
Reva e20
The Reva e20 will replace the REVAi. The e20 is a 2 door hatchback city commuter. The car tops out at about 60 mph and can go about 60 miles
on a charge. The car starts at 5.96 lakh, or about 11,000 USD.
