Launched in 2001, the REVA is a battery electric vehicle designed for low speed manufactured by Bangalore-based Reva Electric Car Co. A fully automated (no clutch, no gears), two-door hatchback four-seater, the car can be charged by plugging on to any 15 ampere socket.

It is powered by a 37 kW AC induction motor that drives the front wheels, and uses sodium nickel chloride batteries. Unlike most electric vehicles, it has an onboard charger to facilitate easy charging.

A full battery charge takes less than seven hours and gives a range of 80 km. In quick-charge mode (two-and-a-half hours), the car is good enough for 65 km. A full charge consumes about 9 units of electricity.

Climate control seat and remote controlled AC have been recently incorporated to the car's features. Customers can choose from over 2,000 shades and can customise their REVA by mixing and matching these features.

The car is fitted with a wireless tablet or an embedded appliance that integrates into a high-resolution single touch-screen display stating speed, state-of-charge, range and sensor inputs as well as personal communication tools like GPS-based in-vehicle navigation, a GPRS modem for Internet and e-mail and Mp3 music. The car comes in two models -- REVAi Standard, REVAiClasse. Another REVAi Special Edition is about to hit the market.

The first two variants are priced at Rs 306,000 (ex-showroom Chennai) and Rs 340,000, respectively.

Image: REVA requires little maintenance because of the minimum number of moving parts. | Photograph, courtesy: Reva Electric Car Co