Electric cars are not just the domain of the Big Three. Smaller foreign manufacturers are producing cars as well, one of which is the REVA- a small electric economy car out of India. Developed and released in 2001 the REVA is already recognized both nationally and internationally for its energy saving merits. Among this small car’s many awards is the M.S. Swami Nathan Award for being the first electric car released in India, the 2002 Thomas Alva Edison Award for Innovation, the 2003 Golden Peacock Award for automotive innovation, and the 2005 Business World Award for Best Concept Design of the Future, among others.
So what makes this relatively usual small electric so exceptional? Perhaps because it is a firsthand success story of a small electric car working for a congested urban environment, the REVA has taken flight. Developed in India, its prime selling point appears to be the compact nature of the design and the ease with which it is charged.
Another benefit of the REVA is its modular design, which allows for the easy addition of extra features to suit the individual consumer. In the end this can also deem the price of the vehicle, but consumer customization is always a benefit, not to mention the choice between 2000 shades of color, making sure one individual REVA is never quite like the rest.
A small automatic car with hatchback and room for two adults and two children, the REVA is the perfect car for a family in the city. Enough for toting a small family to and from work or school or the store. The battery can charge up to 80% in two and a half hours while a complete charge is attained in under eight hours. With the recent upgrade to lithium-ion batteries, the REVA now has a range of up to 75 miles on a single charge and a top speed of 50 mph. But this works just find for a small city car.
Size is another important factor. With a less powerful engine, the compact nature of the REVA is necessary to allow the car to move. This is a key problem with larger electric cars, but here the REVA has achieved balance between battery size and car size, making the vehicle easier to maneuver in high-density traffic.
Because the REVA is built in India for congested urban Indian centers, the car is a way to bring money back into the local economy while also knowing what it is that consumers want and need in a vehicle. It’s all about catering to the unique environment and small, local manufacturers are better able to meet the needs of their consumers, which is one main reason the REVA, although a small company, has gotten so far.
