REVA-i, India's first electric car was launched on Wednesday, 25th June, 2008 after years of research.
“It is a green day for Delhi. I have been using the car myself for short distances and I like it a lot. I appeal to all those who have several cars to at least buy one Reva" said Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on its launch.
In an attempt to promote the REVAi electric car for it being environment friendly, the Government in India has announced 15% subsidy on its base price and the exemption of 12.5% VAT. The price of the vehicle has been thus reduced to 299,000 INR (4,78,400 PKR) which is almost as much as a Suzuki Alto or a Daihatsu Coure costs in Pakistan.
Following are some of the main features of the REVA-i electric car as per Sify:
* Manufacturer: Bangalore-based Reva Electric Car Company
* Time taken: 7 years of research and development (1994-2001)
* Sold in 13 countries
* About 2,500 vehicles sold till date
* Investment: $20 million dollars on research
* Speed: Up to 80 km/hr as compared to 65 km/hr in earlier models
* Fuel efficiency: 80 km per charge with a/c and 129 km without a/c
* Economy: 40 paise (about 1 Cent) per km
* Servicing: Provision for servicing at customer's home
* Power Mode: Improved torque
* Acceleration: 0-40 km in 7 seconds
* Braking: Disc brakes and increased regenerative braking
* Other features: Trip odometer, climate control seats, battery regenerator
* Battery life: 120 km per charge
* Air conditioning: Remote AC plus electronic temperature control
* Hill Restraint: Automatic hill restraint feature
Its quite obvious to note the limited top-speed and slow pick/acceleration of REVAi electric car, but this really is highly energy-efficient and very cost effective for it takes just 64 paisas (Pakistani) for a KM as compared to 120-150 Paisas on CNG. Apart, it being envoirnment friendly is something to consider when analysing the trade-offs
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Comments
#1 Electric Cars
Electric car is a very nice news. Mercedes-Benz and Audi are also looking into it. In fact Engadget says Electric Mercedes-Benz coming in 2010.
I think other car producers will look into producing electric cars or non gasoline-using cars.
Therefore, the rise in gas prices will be short lived. Few more announcements like this and the crude oil futures prices will start coming down because everyone will start to realize that our economies will change in the next 10-20 years. Yet, the world has at least 70 years of proved oil reserves.
#2 Reva cheating consumers of delhi
The Delhi Govt move to give subsidy is a welcome move. But they do not know that Reva Company has no ethics to pass the subsidy to the people. In Bangalore the basic on road price is 349705. This is including all taxes etc. when delhi govt is giving discount of 27.5% then the on road price should have been around Rs.253500/- However the cash hungry Reva is charging Rs.299000 from the gullible people of Delhi and this in no way going to help the consumers. Delhi govt should intervene and see that all the benefits are passed on to the consumer totally.
#3 chevy volt, a hybrid electric car
Who would not want a car that would cost us low on gas? I mean it is one of the trends now when it comes to cars.The Chevy Volt, or Chevrolet Volt, is probably the most highly anticipated offerings from the Chevrolet Division of General Motors. You've heard of this plug in hybrid that will compete against the Insight and the Prius, right? However, you will find troubling reports that dealerships might end up charging far above what they should for the automobile. News of the rumors were touched off by a response to Edmunds by an unnamed automobile dealer. It is not the first car that would be done with. Making something expensive at first and then dropping the cost increases demand.