REVA

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

REVA
Manufacturer: Reva Electric Car Company based at Bangalore, India
Also known as: G-Wiz
Production Years: 2001–
Class: Battery Electric microcar
Length: 2.6 m
Width: 1.3 m
Height: 1.5 m
Drive wheels Rear
Motor location: Rear
Traction Motor: 13 kW DC
Charger: Onboard
Charging connector: Cable to standard domestic 230V 13 amp outlet
Charge time 6 hours
Pack voltage: 48 V
Battery type: 8 lead-acid batteries
Battery capacity: 200 A·h (9.6 kWh)
Battery location: Under front seats
Range: 80 km (50 miles)
Maximum speed: 70 km/h (45 mph)
Seating: Two adults and two children
MSRP: £7,699–£7,999
Similar: Kewet Buddy
This article is part of the electric vehicle series.

REVA (REVA G-Wiz in some markets) is an Indian electric car intended for use as a City car. More REVAs have been produced than any other currently selling electric car [1] and sales are increasing[2]. It is manufactured by the Reva Electric Car Co, in Bangalore, India, currently the world's leading electric car manufacturing company [3].

Contents

[edit] The car

The Reva is a small 3-door hatchback measuring 2.6 metres (8 ft 6 in) long, 1.3 m (4 ft 3 in) wide and 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) high. It weighs 745 kilograms (1,640 lb). The car can accommodate two adults in the front and two children in the rear. The back seats can also fold down to increase cargo space. The maximum passenger and cargo weight is 270 kg (43 st/600 lb).

[edit] Electric power

Power comes from eight 6 V lead acid batteries wired in series to create 48 V. The batteries are located under the front seats. Power flows through a 400 amp motor controller to a DC motor rated at 4.8 kW (6.4 hp). The motor can handle a maximum of 13.1 kW (17.6 hp).

The latest model now uses AC rather than DC motors which increases the top speed by nearly 10 km/h to 70 km/h (43 mph) and gives 40% extra torque for improved acceleration and hill-climbing. The maximum range is approximately 80 km (50 mi),[4] but using the heater reduces the range by about a quarter[5]. The Reva is intended for short city trips, particularly in areas of high congestion.

The car may be exported to the USA with a speed limiter for use as a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV).

The current price in the UK (where it is marketed as the G-Wiz) is approximately £9000 ($18,000) for the standard model [6]. It qualifies for exemption from the London congestion charge due to being an electrically propelled vehicle[7].

[edit] Safety concerns

REVA in Mangalore, India
REVA in Mangalore, India
REVA electric car in Malta
REVA electric car in Malta
REVA Interior
REVA Interior
REVA front view
REVA front view
REVA rear view
REVA rear view
REVA side view
REVA side view

The G-wiz is presently exempt from most UK crash test rules, because its size allows it to be classed as a quadricycle instead of a car.

The UK Department for Transport found “serious safety concerns” after crashing a G-Wiz at 56 km/h (35mph) into a deformable barrier on 24 April 2007 [8], which is the normal test for cars. Likewise, a test commissioned by Top Gear Magazine that followed the Euro NCAP crash test specifications found that the occupants would suffer "serious or life-threatening" injuries in a 64 km/h (40mph) crash [9].

As a result, the current (2008) model features a much revised and reinforced chassis that has been successfully crash tested in India by ARAI. It also has an AC drive system which raises the maximum speed to 80 km/h. A 25 mph frontal crash test video of the new model is available on the GoinGreen website.

[edit] Future

End of 2008, high performance lithium-ion batteries are expected to be available for the latest model. These can be charged much more quickly than lead acid batteries, offer greater speed, acceleration, range, cost, and are less affected by variations in temperature.[10] The anticipated new range for a REVA with lithium-ion batteries is expected to be 112 km (70 miles) or more.[11]

[edit] Appearances on Top Gear

In a segment of Top Gear's news, a clip was shown of David Cameron driving a G-Wiz on the Top Gear test track. Also, when Kristin Scott Thomas appeared on the show it was revealed that she drove a G-Wiz around London while performing in Anton Chekhov's The Seagull. On Jeremy Clarkson's solo DVD Supercar Showdown the G-Wiz was bashed continuously by Clarkson in a number of staged segments, being raced first by a Renault Alpine A610 and losing, and then losing to a heavy wooden table carried by four men. The table was then placed on its side and the G-Wiz rammed it at 40mph, bouncing off and destroying the front of the vehicle. In the final episode of series 10 of Top Gear the G-Wiz was turned into a radio-controlled car and its electrical systems modified so that it could beat a Ford Mustang Shelby GT (incorrectly identified as a 500hp Shelby Mustang GT500) in a race, it was then raced against a scale model R/C car, which carried a bomb to destroy both vehicles before they could finish the race. Nevertheless, the G-Wiz was named as Top Gear's "Worst Car of the Year". Presenter James May called it the "most stupid, useless, and dangerous car to stalk the earth".

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ About Us. Reva India. Retrieved on 2008-02-28.
  2. ^ "Indian electric-car maker gears up for global market", The Peninsula On-line, 2007-08-17. Retrieved on 2008-02-28. 
  3. ^ "In The Slow Lane", Newsweek:para 3, 2008-02-16. Retrieved on 2008-02-28. 
  4. ^ The REVA. Reva India. Retrieved on 2008-02-28.
  5. ^ "G-Wiz - our urban friend's electric", Scotland on Sunday, 2006-04-30. Retrieved on 2008-02-28. 
  6. ^ The new G-Whiz. GoinGreen. Retrieved on 2008-02-28.
  7. ^ Discounts and exemptions | Transport for London
  8. ^ "Celebrity green car is declared unsafe", Times Online, 2007-05-09. Retrieved on 2008-02-28. 
  9. ^ "G-Wiz crash test news - Electric shock", Top Gear, 2007-05-09. Retrieved on 2008-02-28. 
  10. ^ GoinGreen - G-Wiz FAQ
  11. ^ GoinGreen - Showroom_G-Wiz

[edit] External links

[edit] Distributors

[edit] News