GM ends alliance with Reva

Following the M&M-RECC pact, the GM called off its deal with electric car firm and plans to source Volt’s technology from their global electric vehicle.

India’s Mahindra buys Reva majority stake, GM to Develop New India Electric Car, Ends Reva Deal.

Indian car maker Mahindra and Mahindra said on Wednesday it had bought a majority stake in Bangalore-based Reva Electric Car to strengthen its position in the low-emission electric auto market.

Mahindra, India’s largest sports utility vehicle and tractor maker, bought a 55.2 percent stake in Reva, a global leader in producing low-cost electric cars.

The deal includes buying out equity from the promoters of Reva and providing 450 million rupees (9.5 million dollars) in fresh equity, a statement to the Mumbai stock exchange said. The value of the deal was not disclosed.

Reva’s promoters, the Maini family, will hold 31% in Mahindra Reva Electric Vehicle Company while Lon Bell, the co-founder, will hold 11% . Employees with stock options will hold the rest. “We expect that there will be 1.5 million electric cars sold globally. I see no reason why Reva cars will not be 50,000 of that 1.5 million in the next 7 to 10 years; this deal is a part of the larger strategy within the Mahindra group of focusing on sustained mobility,” said Pawan Goenka, president (automotive & farm equipment sectors), Mahindra & Mahindra, who will take over as chairman. Given our expertise in the overall vehicle development, we’ll work closely now with Mahindra Reva to make NXR and NXG a cost competitive and commercially viable product. We have also tied up funds for the first launch for Reva (NXR-NXG).”

GM to Develop New India Electric Car, Ends Reva Deal

Aday after Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd said it was taking a controlling stake in Bangalore-based Reva Electric Car Co., General Motors India (GM) scrapped its partnership with the company being acquired, saying it would make use of its own alternative fuel and propulsion technologies. “We plan to look within the General Motors portfolio for alternate technology vehicles,” said Karl Slym, president and managing director of GM India. Its US parent company is working on launching the Volt, a car that runs on batteries and has a small combustion engine that charges the cells as the car runs, giving it a range of 480km. The car is scheduled to be launched in the fourth quarter of this calendar year. The Reva, which operates solely on batteries, has a range of 80km.

The company is on track to launch light commercial vehicles as well as cars brought from its Chinese partner SAIC Corp. by the end of 2011. The cars will be sold in India under the Chevrolet badge. The three light truck models in the one-tonne range will be manufactured at its plant at Halol in Gujarat. It declined to disclose details on the cars to be launched. GM India is a 50-50 partnership between US-based General Motors Corp. and Shanghai-based SAIC Corp.

REVA will unveil new models at Frankfurt International Motor Show.

REVA Electric Car Company, pioneer and technology leaders in the EV market will unveil two new models at the upcoming 63rd Frankfurt International Motor Show(IAA) –REVA NXR (next revolution) and REVA NXG (next generation).



REVA NXG is a sporty two-seater with a targa roof and is designed by Dilip Chhabria of the internationally renowned automotive design company - DC Design. The car which will go into production in the year 2011 will have a top speed of 130kmph and a range of 200 kms.

REVA NXR is a four-seat, two-door hatch back family car suitable for urban driving that can be booked and ordered from the show onwards, with production scheduled to commence at the beginning of 2010. The car will run on a Lithium Ion battery and will have a top speed of 104 km per hour and a range of 160 kms on a full charge. In India the NXR will be available as a lead acid battery variant giving a range of 80 km per charge and top speed of 80 kmph.

“The REVA NXR and REVA NXG will redefine the Indian consumer car market,” said Chetan Maini, deputy chairman & chief technology officer, REVA Electric Car Company. “The unveiling of NXR and NXG at the Frankfurt Show is a tremendous step forward in what is sure to be a fascinating journey for EV users across the globe - Affordable and stylish electric vehicles will finally be available to consumer.”

In addition at the Frankfurt Motor Show, REVA will launch REVive technology, a feature & technology unique to REVA that addresses ‘range anxiety’ and will act like an invisible reserve fuel tank. This is the first time such a revolutionary technology is being launched that aims to quell the range anxiety in EV users and meets the lifestyle needs of today’s on-the-go consumer. If a customer runs out of charge, he/she telephones or sends a SMS message to the REVA 24/7 Customer Support Centre and a remote charge enables the REVA new models to continue driving within a few minutes.

Both the REVA NXR and the REVA NXG will feature the REVive telematics technology. Further technology and pricing announcements will be made at IAA.

Both new models will be manufactured at REVA’s new green manufacturing plant in Bangalore. The new models will receive their first boost of charge from solar power at the new plant which will be built on LEEDS guidelines with rainwater harvesting, solar charging, solar heating, and natural ventilation with an intent to reduce carbon footprint.

New Electric Car in India by 2011

Bavina Cars India, a new electric car company, is setting up its manufacturing plant in Tamil Nadu. It will launch its new electric car model in India by 2011. Tamil Nadu State government has already allotted 100 acres of land in Special Economic Zone in Ranipat which is currently being promoted by the State Industries Promotion Corp of Tamil Nadu. With an initial investment of Rs.300 crores, the company will be able to roll out 25,000 units annually from 2011.
Currently, the electric car market in India is dominated by sole player Reva Electric Car Company. Reva also marks its strong presence in the overseas markets, especially the UK. With the launch of new models in the country and a competitor, India will have now have more options to choose from.
The overseas model for electric cars is also quite fresh and even Tata Motors is also planning to launch its electric car this year.

Reva Car Co to hold petrol to electric car exchange mela

Bangalore-based REVA Electric Car Company (RECC), India’s first electric car manufacturer, is organising the first ever “Petrol to Electric Car Exchange Mela” in Bangalore on September 13-14, at its showroom. This will be the first time where customers can actually exchange their petrol cars for a brand new electric car – the REVAi.

R.Chandramouli, President, Sales and Marketing, RECC said, “RECC is really proud to bring the first ever petrol to electric car exchange offer to customers in India. It is a big step towards fulfilling the growing need for a suitable, cost effective, environment friendly transportation alternative. Besides protecting our customer’s pockets; going for electric cars is also friendly to the environment.”

The evaluation for exchanged cars will be done by Mahindra First Choice, a used car dealer. The State Bank of India, which is the partner for this exchange fair will be present at showroom to assist customers on finance matters. REVA has an electric car manufacturing plant in Bangalore with an installed capacity to manufacture 6,000 cars per annum.

Electric car from Mahindra and Mahindra in India by 2010

India automaker Mahindra and Mahindra plans on introducing four-seater electric car for India, which is expected to hit the roads by 2010. However, power shortage and electric-drive in the country may cause problems.

The Indian Auto major, Mahindra and Mahindra, known for their sturdy SUV’s, is working on an electric car for India. The E-car is expected to hit the Indian roads by 2010. This four-seater will run on lead acid battery initially and later on nickel metal hydride.

The company claims this E-car will be bigger than Maini REVA brand and also little expensive. Currently REVA comes with the price tag of Rs 3.5 lakhs for the base model in Bangalore and in New Delhi it starts with Rs 2.9 lakhs onwards.

Once the car is settled and achieves success in India, it will be launched in other countries too. It is true that e-cars are the best solution for increase in fuel hike and the pollution level. But practically speaking, it is difficult for the electric cars to sustain in India, as the country is already experiencing power shortage and electric-drive versions are not as economical as CNG vehicles.

The CNG is readily available at gas stations now. A solution to this is to build up low-carbon electricity technology and the auto companies are looking at tying up with energy companies.