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Reva leads the charge |
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On the 16th of September, Bangalore based Reva became the first Indian company to debut,
not one but two, new models at the Frankfurt Motor Show – the Reva NXR (NeXt Reva) and NXG (NeXt Generation).
The NXR is a new lithium ion powered electric car that’s scheduled to go into production early next year at the company’s new facility in Bangalore, whereas the NXG is a show car slated for production in 2011. The Indian launch of the NXR will be at the Auto Expo in January 2010 in New Delhi.
The NXR comes in two variants – one powered by lithium ion batteries, which has a 160 kilometer range and 104km/h top speed, and the other, the NXR City, powered by more conventional lead-acid batteries, which has an 80 kilometer range and a top speed of 80km/h.
The number one concern for electric car buyers worldwide is range anxiety – i.e. being stuck on the road with discharged batteries. Reva has attempted to address this issue in a number of innovative ways. The NXR showcases features such as a 90 minute fast charge (normal charge time is 8 hours) – or even a 15 minute fast charge that can give you a 40 kilometer range.
The NXR also has intelligent telematics that allow you to SMS your car in order to receive vital information, such as distance-to-empty or time-to-full-charge. The most innovative feature, however, is the Reva exclusive REVive remote emergency charge – wherein, if you run out of charge on the road, you simply call
or SMS Reva’s customer
support center.
They, consequently, remotely access your cars telematics to activate a reserve amount of energy – enabling you to either reach a charging station or your destination without damaging the batteries. The NXR also has other, more mainstream, features such as keyless entry and operation, a CD player, etc., while providing seating for four in an effort to appeal to a wider audience.
The NXG meanwhile is a much more sporty and aggressive EV that has a top speed of 130km/h and range of 200 kilometers. Both cars have design cues by Dilip Chhabria – with the NXG displaying the distinct design flair for which he’s known.
With these two new, and very impressive, EVs, Reva is leading the movement to make electric vehicles mainstream around
the world.
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Reva powers Chevy…
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In just about two decades, with most of the action and change taking place in the last ten years or so, India has changed in the automotive world from being an absolute importer of technology and vehicles to a significant exporter of both. Nowhere is the export of technology significant for India more than with the rapidly evolving need for electric and battery based cars all over the world.
And 24th of September 2009 was a significant milestone in this context, a day on which General Motors of Detroit signed a collaboration with Reva Motors of Bengaluru – something like the yesterday of internal combustion automobile technology joins hands with the tomorrow of electronic automobile technology. Without wanting to sound hysterical, or indulging in hyperbole – but certainly proud – this was an inflexion point which has no previous parallel. Especially when one compares the market value, and other numbers, for the two companies.
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Reva Motors, which is currently riding a wave in many countries, especially Norway and England, is going to provide the technology for an electric/battery version of the Chevrolet Spark. Configured in its familiar 4-door version, this will be powered by Lithium Ion batteries, and some interesting new generation technology locally developed for charging and other functions. General Motors, which had a successful product in the Saturn Ev2 a decade ago, and is advancing well with the Volt for developed markets, is in a hurry to provide similar solutions for developing countries.
The Chevrolet Spark, with Reva technology, is expected to be commercially available in the next 5-6 months at a total price not exceeding the price of a standard petrol engine Chevrolet Spark – with some very innovative pricing and leasing mechanisms for the battery cost. Once that’s taken care of, the total ownership cost of a battery car is expected to be significantly lower than that for a petrol or diesel car. In addition, solar charging of batteries is the likely next step, with panels being provided for
home/office as well as parking lot charging options.
Veeresh Malik
malik@autox.in
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Audi's evocative e-tron |
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At the Frankfurt Motor Show, Audi showcased an electric high-performance sports concept called the e-tron. It takes several styling cues from the R8, not to mention the placement of its power unit – a lithium ion battery pack that’s placed right behind the passenger compartment like a mid-engined
sports car.
In keeping with the Audi tradition of Quattro all-wheel-drive, the e-tron has four motors driving the car – two each at the front and rear axles. Ideal torque vectoring ensures that the motors provide just the right amount of power to each individual wheel. The e-tron produces the equivalent of 313 horsepower, and an absolutely unbelievable figure of over 3,000lb/ft of toque – enabling it to reach 100km/h in an R8 rivaling 4.8 seconds. And while range is 250 kilometers, top speed is limited to just 200km/h, as the energy requirements of the electric motors increases disproportionately to speed.
There may be some development left to do, but the e-tron proves yet again that the future of the sports car is very bright indeed. |
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Tata Indica Vista EV |
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After Chetan Maini’s ‘Reva,’ it’s now the turn of yet another Indian automobile manufacturer to head for Norway – to set up facilities for manufacturing state-of-the-art electric cars. And while the Reva – thanks to absolutely unhelpful ancient laws in most of India, which still make it difficult to purchase, register and operate electric cars – is still not a very common site on Indian roads, the Tata Indica Vista is as well known to us as peanuts being sold on the roadside.
The Tata Indica Vista EV for Norway will be exported in ‘only body shell’ condition, and will then be kitted out with new generation lithium ion batteries. These are far lighter and pack a much better punch than conventional batteries – usually lead acid – found in older generation battery cars. It’s expected to provide the equivalent of 75-80bhp, as well as acceleration of a level found only in much costlier sports cars – all delivered extremely silently, naturally. Not to mention a range of around 180-220 kilometers – that too under the extremely cold and trying conditions in Norway.
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Norway has a very advanced Government sponsored program underway in trying to reduce the number of conventional automobiles on the road. One major reason for this is the effect that global warming is having on their natural resources, as well as fjords – melting most of them, which may actually be good for hydro-thermal power in the short run to obtain power for these battery cars. However, it goes without saying that development, as well as replacement, of ‘ordinary’ vehicles with environmentally friendly ones is top priority in the land of Volvo. So, while we get their huge station wagons and trucks, they get our more environmentally friendly small cars and wagons. Fair trade?
These electric cars from Tata Motors, including the Nano, are expected to hit the Indian market in 2011 – after being thoroughly tested and tried out in Norway. Said timeline is not very far away. As they say at the races – gentlemen, start your engines. Loudly. Except, here it’s simpler – please turn on the switch. Silently.
Veeresh Malik
malik@autox.in
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