Reference Auto

Even as global auto giants such as Nissan and GM’s Chevrolet roll out their pet electric vehicles or EVs, India is not far behind with Mahindra Reva launching the REVAi through five dealers in Pune. Unilke the Chevrolet Volt or Nissan Leaf, which could be available in India in a couple of years, the home-grown REVAi will roll out soon.

The Volt and Leaf EVs, when launched in India, could be priced above Rs 15 lakh, forcing the average Indian car buyer to shy away despite being EVs (which have been created to keep the environment clean and trim running costs substantially when compared to a petrol or diesel car).

But the REVAi is set to be affordably priced around Rs 3.10 lakh (the standard model). Also, in order to woo customers, Mahindra has rolled out a finance plan whereby buyers can shell out Rs 1 lakh as deposit and pay Rs 7,999 for the next three years.

After the three-year period, the car owner can claim the deposit and let go the car or forgo the deposit and take the car instead.

The REVAi can go up to 80 km per charge and both performance and battery life are optimised using a technique called Energy Management System. There is a regenerative braking mechanism employed that facilitates the pumping of energy into the battery when brakes are applied to slow down the car.

The EV has a ‘boost’ mode for power and acceleration, whereas ‘hill restraint’ ensures better navigation in an incline. The car does not have either a clutch or gear and can touch a maximum speed of 80 km per hour. It can reach from 0 to 40 km in just seven seconds. The REVAi is a two-seater hatchback now and the four-seater version will hit the country’s markets next year.

Mahindra Reva’s Bangalore plant will begin operations in April after which annual capacity will more than double to 30,000 cars per annum.

“We are happy to launch the REVAi in Pune where there are many who want to lap up our vehicles. With climate change and carbon credits becoming key issues today, eco-friendly vehicles have become need of the hour,” said R Chandramouli, chief of operations, Mahindra Reva.

“The EV market is ready to grow rapidly. Mahindra’s vast distribution network, along with our unique finance plan will help us make significant inroads into the local market,” added Chandramouli.

Reva was founded in 1994 as Reva Electric Car Company, a joint venture between the Maini Group of Bangalore and AEV of USA. Mahindra Group took majority stake in May this year and renamed it Mahindra Reva Electric Vehicles Pvt Ltd.

It seems foreign players are not keen on bringing in their EVs owing to lack of good roads, electricity, parking spaces and unavailability of charging stations.

Mahindra Reva exports its electric cars to European countries including UK, Norway, Spain and France. It also sells its cars to neighbouring markets like Bhutan, Nepal and Malaysia.

Although, the launch of Reva cars like REVAi could be a trendsetter, lack of charging stations could take a massive toll on Mahindra Reva’s electric car dream and if the government does not put infrastructure projects on the fast lane, then the concept of EVs could witness a slow death in India.