REVA
Encyclopedia
The REVAi, known as G-Wiz in the UK, is a small micro
electric car
, made by the Indian manufacturer REVA Electric Car Company since 2001. The REVA have sold more than 4,000 vehicles worldwide by March 2011 and is available in 26 countries.
In many countries, the Revai does not meet the criteria to qualify as a car, and fits in to other classes, such as Neighborhood Electric Vehicle
in the United States and heavy quadricycle
in Europe.
The vehicle was originally known as simply the REVA, but was then improved and renamed the REVAi. Taken together, the original and current models made the best selling electric vehicle in the world until late 2009.
The REVAi is intended for city trips and commuting, particularly in congested traffic. It is registered in Europe as a heavy quadricycle
(category L7). It may be exported to the USA with a speed limiter that limits the speed to 25 miles per hour for use as a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle
(NEV).
motor controller to a DC motor
rated at 4.8 kW, with a maximum of 13.1 kW. Power came from eight 6 V
, 200 A h
, lead–acid batteries located under the front seats and wired in series to create 48 V. This model did not have the strengthened chassis that allows subsequent models to pass a crash test at 40 km/h (24.9 mph).
In January 2008, a new model was introduced, the REVAi (G-Wiz i in the UK). It has an AC drive system which raises the maximum speed to 80 kilometre per hour. The power flows through a 350 Amp
motor controller to a 3-phase AC motor
rated at 13 kW peak. Like the REVA, power comes from eight 6 V, 200 A h lead–acid batteries located under the front seats.
It has a "boost" switch that gives 40% extra torque for improved acceleration and hill climbing and increases the top speed to 80 km/h (49.7 mph). It weighs 665 kg (1,466.1 lb), including 270 kg (595.2 lb) batteries. The nominal range is 80 km (49.7 mi), but driving fast or using the heater or air conditioner reduces the range. To address the previous safety concerns, and in conjunction with Lotus Engineering, several new safety features have been added, such as front disc brakes, a collapsible steering column, and a much revised and reinforced chassis that has been successfully crash tested at 40 km/h (24.9 mph) by ARAI in India.
In addition to the on-board battery charger
, an off-board charging station
requiring 3-phase power is available which gives a 90 percent charge in one hour.
The current price in the UK (where it is marketed as the G-Wiz i) is approximately for the standard model It qualifies for exemption from the London congestion charge
due to being an electrically propelled vehicle. The REVA is also sold in other European countries, including Spain and Norway. In Costa Rica
, the REVAi was launched in March 2009 and is sold for . In the Chile
an market will be sold for .
The REVAi is available in the Republic of Ireland at a retail price of for the REVA Standard and for the better specified REVA Li-Ion.
REVA is sold for 350,000 in India and has a "running cost of just 40 paise/km" (40 paise [0.8 US cent]/km), considering the Indian petrol price of /liter.
" category instead of the "car" category.
The UK Department for Transport found "serious safety concerns" after crashing a now discontinued G-Wiz at 56 km/h (34.8 mph) into a deformable barrier on 24 April 2007, which is part of the normal test for production 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 (40 mph) crash.
As a result, the current REVA i and REVA L-ion models include several new safety features such as front disc brakes, a collapsible steering column, and a much revised and reinforced chassis that has been successfully crash tested in India by ARAI. A 40 km/h (24.9 mph) frontal crash test video of the new model is available online.
The REVA Electric Car Company (RECC) claimed in 2008 that the car has an excellent safety record: "In over 80 million km of Reva usage, there has not been a single fatality or serious injury".
On 1 September 2011 a London woman Judit Nadal was killed when her G-Wiz "imploded" (according to an eyewitness) when hit by a Škoda Octavia
at low speed. The other driver was not seriously injured.
Microcar
A microcar is the smallest automobile classification usually applied to standard small car . Such small cars were generally referred to as cyclecars until the 1940s. More recent models are also called bubblecars due to their egg-shaped appearance.-Definition:The definition of a microcar has varied...
electric car
Electric car
An electric car is an automobile which is propelled by electric motor, using electrical energy stored in batteries or another energy storage device. Electric cars were popular in the late-19th century and early 20th century, until advances in internal combustion engine technology and mass...
, made by the Indian manufacturer REVA Electric Car Company since 2001. The REVA have sold more than 4,000 vehicles worldwide by March 2011 and is available in 26 countries.
In many countries, the Revai does not meet the criteria to qualify as a car, and fits in to other classes, such as Neighborhood Electric Vehicle
Neighborhood electric vehicle
A Neighborhood Electric Vehicle is a U.S. denomination for battery electric vehicles that are legally limited to roads with posted speed limits as high as depending on the particular laws of the state, usually are built to have a top speed of , and have a maximum loaded weight of 3,000 lbs...
in the United States and heavy quadricycle
Motorised quadricycle
Quadricycles are European categories of small four-wheeled motorised vehicles defined by limitations in terms of weight, power and speed.Two categories are defined:*Light quadricycles, category L6e,*and quadricycles, category L7e....
in Europe.
The vehicle was originally known as simply the REVA, but was then improved and renamed the REVAi. Taken together, the original and current models made the best selling electric vehicle in the world until late 2009.
Design
The REVAi is a small 3-door hatchback measuring 2.6 metre long, 1.3 metre wide and 1.5 metre high. The car can accommodate two adults in the front and two children in the rear. The back seats can fold down to provide cargo space. The maximum passenger and cargo weight is 270 kg (595.2 lb).The REVAi is intended for city trips and commuting, particularly in congested traffic. It is registered in Europe as a heavy quadricycle
Motorised quadricycle
Quadricycles are European categories of small four-wheeled motorised vehicles defined by limitations in terms of weight, power and speed.Two categories are defined:*Light quadricycles, category L6e,*and quadricycles, category L7e....
(category L7). It may be exported to the USA with a speed limiter that limits the speed to 25 miles per hour for use as a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle
Neighborhood electric vehicle
A Neighborhood Electric Vehicle is a U.S. denomination for battery electric vehicles that are legally limited to roads with posted speed limits as high as depending on the particular laws of the state, usually are built to have a top speed of , and have a maximum loaded weight of 3,000 lbs...
(NEV).
First model
The first model, produced from 2001 to 2007, was simply called REVA (G-Wiz in the UK). Its power flowed through a 400 ampAmpere
The ampere , often shortened to amp, is the SI unit of electric current and is one of the seven SI base units. It is named after André-Marie Ampère , French mathematician and physicist, considered the father of electrodynamics...
motor controller to a DC motor
Electric motor
An electric motor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy.Most electric motors operate through the interaction of magnetic fields and current-carrying conductors to generate force...
rated at 4.8 kW, with a maximum of 13.1 kW. Power came from eight 6 V
Volt
The volt is the SI derived unit for electric potential, electric potential difference, and electromotive force. The volt is named in honor of the Italian physicist Alessandro Volta , who invented the voltaic pile, possibly the first chemical battery.- Definition :A single volt is defined as the...
, 200 A h
Ampere-hour
An ampere-hour or amp-hour is a unit of electric charge, with sub-units milliampere-hour and milliampere second...
, lead–acid batteries located under the front seats and wired in series to create 48 V. This model did not have the strengthened chassis that allows subsequent models to pass a crash test at 40 km/h (24.9 mph).
REVAi
| REVA i Electric power | |
|---|---|
| Traction motor | AC, 13 kW peak power |
| Charger | Onboard |
| Charging connector | Cable to standard domestic 230 V 13 A outlet |
| Charge time | 8 hours to full power |
| Pack voltage | 48 V |
| Battery type | 8 lead–acid batteries |
| Battery rating | 6 V Volt The volt is the SI derived unit for electric potential, electric potential difference, and electromotive force. The volt is named in honor of the Italian physicist Alessandro Volta , who invented the voltaic pile, possibly the first chemical battery.- Definition :A single volt is defined as the... , 200 A h Ampere-hour An ampere-hour or amp-hour is a unit of electric charge, with sub-units milliampere-hour and milliampere second... each |
| Maximum speed | 80 km/h (49.7 mph) |
In January 2008, a new model was introduced, the REVAi (G-Wiz i in the UK). It has an AC drive system which raises the maximum speed to 80 kilometre per hour. The power flows through a 350 Amp
Ampere
The ampere , often shortened to amp, is the SI unit of electric current and is one of the seven SI base units. It is named after André-Marie Ampère , French mathematician and physicist, considered the father of electrodynamics...
motor controller to a 3-phase AC motor
Electric motor
An electric motor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy.Most electric motors operate through the interaction of magnetic fields and current-carrying conductors to generate force...
rated at 13 kW peak. Like the REVA, power comes from eight 6 V, 200 A h lead–acid batteries located under the front seats.
It has a "boost" switch that gives 40% extra torque for improved acceleration and hill climbing and increases the top speed to 80 km/h (49.7 mph). It weighs 665 kg (1,466.1 lb), including 270 kg (595.2 lb) batteries. The nominal range is 80 km (49.7 mi), but driving fast or using the heater or air conditioner reduces the range. To address the previous safety concerns, and in conjunction with Lotus Engineering, several new safety features have been added, such as front disc brakes, a collapsible steering column, and a much revised and reinforced chassis that has been successfully crash tested at 40 km/h (24.9 mph) by ARAI in India.
REVA L-ion
In January 2009, a new model was launched, the REVA L-ion. It is similar to the REVAi but powered by high performance lithium-ion batteries, which reduce the car's curb weight to 565 kg (1,245.6 lb), offer greater acceleration, reduce charging time to six hours, and extend the nominal range to 120 km (74.6 mi). The performance of these batteries is also less affected by variations in temperature. In addition to the Li-ion batteries, the REVA L-ion will also feature a solar panel affixed to the roof for utilizing solar energy.In addition to the on-board battery charger
Battery charger
A battery charger is a device used to put energy into a secondary cell or rechargeable battery by forcing an electric current through it.The charge current depends upon the technology and capacity of the battery being charged...
, an off-board charging station
Charging station
An electric vehicle charging station, also called EV charging station, electric recharging point, charging point and EVSE , is an element in an infrastructure that supplies electric energy for the recharging of electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric-gasoline vehicles) or semi-static and mobile...
requiring 3-phase power is available which gives a 90 percent charge in one hour.
Comparison of models
| REVA L-ion | REVAi | G-Wiz | |
| Top speed | 50 mph (22 m/s) | 55 mph (25 m/s) | 50 mph (22 m/s) |
| Range | 75 mi (120.7 km) | 50 mi (80.5 km) | 50 mi (80.5 km) |
| Lotus Lotus Cars Lotus Cars is a British manufacturer of sports and racing cars based at the former site of RAF Hethel, a World War II airfield in Norfolk. The company designs and builds race and production automobiles of light weight and fine handling characteristics... assisted safety pack |
Yes | No | No |
| Upgradeable to lithium-ion batteries | Yes | Yes | No |
| Hill rolling-restraint feature | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Regenerative brakes | First 30% | First 30% | First 30% |
| Front brakes | Disc brakes | Disc brakes | Drum brakes |
| Rear brakes | Drum brakes | Drum brakes | Drum brakes |
| Regenerative braking | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Anti-roll bar | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Sales and price
The different versions of the REVA have sold more than 4,000 vehicles worldwide by mid March 2011 and is available in the following countries: Austria, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Norway, Japan, Malta, Monaco, Nepal, Norfolk Islands, Norway, Peru, the Philippines, Portugal, Spain, Sri Lanka and the UK.The current price in the UK (where it is marketed as the G-Wiz i) is approximately for the standard model It qualifies for exemption from the London congestion charge
London congestion charge
The London congestion charge is a fee charged for some categories of motor vehicle to travel at certain times within the Congestion Charge Zone , a traffic area in London. The charge aims to reduce congestion, and raise investment funds for London's transport system...
due to being an electrically propelled vehicle. The REVA is also sold in other European countries, including Spain and Norway. In Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Costa Rica , officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a multilingual, multiethnic and multicultural country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east....
, the REVAi was launched in March 2009 and is sold for . In the Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
an market will be sold for .
The REVAi is available in the Republic of Ireland at a retail price of for the REVA Standard and for the better specified REVA Li-Ion.
REVA is sold for 350,000 in India and has a "running cost of just 40 paise/km" (40 paise [0.8 US cent]/km), considering the Indian petrol price of /liter.
Safety concerns
The REVA is exempt from most European crash test rules, because its low weight and power registers it in the European "heavy quadricycleMotorised quadricycle
Quadricycles are European categories of small four-wheeled motorised vehicles defined by limitations in terms of weight, power and speed.Two categories are defined:*Light quadricycles, category L6e,*and quadricycles, category L7e....
" category instead of the "car" category.
The UK Department for Transport found "serious safety concerns" after crashing a now discontinued G-Wiz at 56 km/h (34.8 mph) into a deformable barrier on 24 April 2007, which is part of the normal test for production cars. Likewise, a test commissioned by Top Gear Magazine that followed the Euro NCAP crash test
Crash test
A crash test is a form of destructive testing usually performed in order to ensure safe design standards in crashworthiness and crash compatibility for various modes of transportation or related systems and components.- Types :...
specifications found that the occupants would suffer "serious or life-threatening" injuries in a 64 km/h (40 mph) crash.
As a result, the current REVA i and REVA L-ion models include several new safety features such as front disc brakes, a collapsible steering column, and a much revised and reinforced chassis that has been successfully crash tested in India by ARAI. A 40 km/h (24.9 mph) frontal crash test video of the new model is available online.
The REVA Electric Car Company (RECC) claimed in 2008 that the car has an excellent safety record: "In over 80 million km of Reva usage, there has not been a single fatality or serious injury".
On 1 September 2011 a London woman Judit Nadal was killed when her G-Wiz "imploded" (according to an eyewitness) when hit by a Škoda Octavia
Škoda Octavia
The Škoda Octavia is a small family car produced by Czech automaker Škoda Auto since 1996, its name revived from a model originally produced between 1959 and 1971. The current Octavia is available in five-door liftback and station wagon....
at low speed. The other driver was not seriously injured.
See also
- List of modern production plug-in electric vehicles
- List of production battery electric vehicles
- Government incentives for plug-in electric vehiclesGovernment incentives for plug-in electric vehiclesGovernment incentives for plug-in electric vehicles have been established by several national and local governments around the world as a financial incentive for consumers to purchase a plug-in electric vehicle....
- Zero-emissions vehicleZero-emissions vehicleA zero-emissions vehicle, or ZEV, is a vehicle that emits no tailpipe pollutants from the onboard source of power. Harmful pollutants to the health and the environment include particulates , hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, ozone, lead, and various oxides of nitrogen. Although not considered emission...
External links
- REVAi link
- http://www.zigwheels.com/news-features/news/all-new-mahindra-reva-ev-on-way-to-europe/9263/1