With the launch of the new Reva-i version of the already famous electric car reva, the Maini group seems to be going in the right direction with its $20mn second round funding recently received.
The new vehicle is pleasing to look at much like the old one and is priced between 3.49 to 4.04 lakhs INR. Since there is no road tax for this car, one can pretty much assume this would be the on road price as well or atleast near these prices.
For the same price, you get more bang for your buck. Technological innovations are the key to this car design and it seems to be future proof as well. Some obvious changes include inclusion of a defogger which is a boon in city rains, alloy wheels (atleast the picture shows so), improved torque (upto 40%) which translates to lesser stress on driving, a maximum speed of 80kmph as compared to a sluggish 60kmph, and the best part of all, a maximum mileage of 80-100km per charge as compared to an earlier 60-80km. the increase in the mileage of about 20km is definitely a boon to the people of the geographically ever increasing city bangalore and enables you to travel far off distances within city limits.
As for other features, they remain and get better by the day. Climatronic seats, remote AC (cooling begins with the key !!), and other gizmos remain (it also includes a 12v socket with which you can use your laptop). On the outset, this car seems very expensive when you would get say a maruti 800 or indica Xeta or say an alto or a Chevy spark. But none of those are automatic, Reva has almost all features the other cars have (except its a 2 seater), and the best part is its easy on your pocket and a no frills car. If TATA launch their one lakh car with an AT version, then reva has competition, else it would continue to remain a trendsetter in its own segment.
I have driven the earlier reva and its quite zippy and easy to drive and absolutely no mechanical electrical gimmicks to understand. put the key, and you are off. period. Now its left to see if the reva does garner more exports and domestic sales as time goes by. I for time and again want to own this baby, and there is no better time to do it than now !!
