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Hyderabad: REVA- India's
First Electric Car heralds a new era of non-polluting, cost effective, quiet
city mobility - A boon for city commuters. This elegant, light-yet rugged,
two-door sedan comfortably seats 2 adults in the front and 2 children at the
back has just been launched in the city.
Welcome to the world of the diminutive, battery-propelled go-car, the Reva
Classé. The Reva's designed for a fair bit of intra-city commuting - from home
to work and from work to home, for that bit of veggie shopping, to take the pets
to the vet and back, to a restaurant for a candlelit dinner for two.It is fully
automatic and runs on battery, with a rugged two-door hatchback and is easy to
drive (no clutch / gears), easy to park and maneuver.
Earlier known as Maini Amerigon, the Reva Project was first conceived in July
1994, when Chetan Maini, Managing Director of RECC, initiated the Reva Project
at the Amerigon Inc. The first prototype ready in mid 1996 had undergone
extensive tests at the Automobile Research Association of India, Pune, for
homologation and was certified roadworthy.
The Reva Electric Car Company,
RECC, was incorporated in 1995 as a joint venture between the Bangalore based
Maini Group and AEVT Inc of Irvindale, California, to manufacture
environment-friendly, cost-effective electric vehicles for city mobility.
The RECC is at the Bommasandra Industrial Area, Bangalore. The company has an
installed capacity of 5000 units and employees over 180 people. The Production
Centre is based on an advanced flexible assembly line that ensures high
productivity at lower breakeven volumes.Its R&D Unit has a DSRI recognition for
further indigenisation and development of newer models of EVs. The unique
Testing Centre ensures that every Reva rolling out is totally safe and reliable.
Within a top speed of 65 kms/hr, the Reva battery attains full charge after
five-and-a half hours and Boasting of running costs of a mere 40paise per
kilometer Reva is surely going to get lots of attention especially in a car
crazy city like Hyderabad.
-MK
Reachout's News Bureau
September' 2003
More 'Hyderabad Watch'......
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