General Motors partners Reva to build electric vehicles

‘We are pleased to join hands with Reva to bring affordable small car platform-based electric vehicles to the market in line with government objectives to reduce fossil fuel dependence,’ Slym told reporters in New Delhi. GM’s ability to develop platforms along with Reva’s capability in developing electric drive-trains and control systems will give the Indian consumer a wider choice of electric vehicles, he added.

Slym said the firms would work with the Indian federal and state governments to develop a network of charging stations. Reva, based in the southern city of Bangalore, launched its first electric car in India in 2001.

‘Each of the partners will use their strengths, with the aim of making India a global hub for the development and manufacturing of electric vehicles and related technologies,’ Reva deputy chairman Chetan Maini said. GM’s president of international operations Nick Reilly said cooperation with Reva in India will accelerate the company’s progress to ‘meet emerging needs in many parts of the world.’

GM recently emerged from bankruptcy with the US government as its largest shareholder and its Indian operations are central to the company’s global growth strategy.

The announcement comes a day after US rival Ford announced that it was to make a new car, the Ford Figo, in India as part of its $500m  investment plan in the country. Both cars will compete in India’s small car segment, which makes up about 70% of the new vehicle market. GM recently emerged from bankruptcy protection with the US government as its largest shareholder.

REVA NXR is an M1 category three-door, four-seater hatchback family car with a top speed is 104 kph (65 mph) and a range of 160 kms (100 miles) per charge. Using the 90 minute fast charge (normal charging is eight hours), the REVA NXR offers an effective range of 320km a day.

Styled by Dilip Chhabria, the REVA NXG is a M1 category, two-door, two-seater car with a targa top with a range of 200km (125 miles) per charge and a top speed of 130 kph (80 miles per hour) and using the fast charge, it has an effective range of 400 kms (250 miles) a day.

Both vehicles have keyless entry and operation, dual charge ports, intelligent digital display and a range of telematics including REVA’s exclusive REVive remote emergency charge. REVive addresses ‘range anxiety’ where a customer low on charge can telephone or SMS REVA’s customer support centre. The advanced telematics feature will assess the car’s batteries remotely and activate a reserve amount of energy while protecting the battery life. Within minutes, a few extra kilometres of range are made available and the driver can continue home or to a place where the NXR can be charged.

Prices of the NXR will vary across Europe depending on taxes and subsidies and there is the option of purchasing the car and batteries separately, or at an all-inclusive price. Average prices in Europe, will be around 14,995 euros for the lithium-ion NXR Intercity version, plus a monthly mobility fee for the batteries and other services. The REVA NXR City, with lead acid batteries, that has an 80 km (50 mile) range and a speed of 80 kph (50 mph), is also available from 9,995 euros and a small monthly mobility fee. The REVA NXG pricing in Europe, excluding batteries is from 23,000 euros plus a monthly mobility fee.

REVA’s new website, http://www.revaglobal.com, also launches and customers can go on a priority list by paying a refundable 500 euro fee.

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