REVAi

Last updated
REVAi / G-Wiz
Reva i silver.jpg
Overview
Manufacturer Reva Electric Car Company
Also calledG-Wiz i
Production2001–2019 [1]
Assembly Bangalore, India
Body and chassis
Layout Rear motor, Rear wheel drive
Dimensions
Wheelbase 1,700 mm (66.9 in)
Length2,600 mm (102.4 in)
Width1,300 mm (51.2 in)
Height1,500 mm (59.1 in)
Kerb weight 400 kg (882 lb) (excluding battery)
Chronology
Successor Reva e2o

The REVAi, known as G-Wiz in the United Kingdom, [2] is a small micro electric car, made by the Indian manufacturer Reva Electric Car Company between 2001 and 2012. By late 2013 Reva had sold about 4,600 vehicles worldwide, in 26 countries. [3] [4] Sales in the United Kingdom, its main market, ended by the end of 2011. [5] Production ended in 2012 and the REVAi was replaced by the Mahindra e2o. [1]

Contents

In many countries the REVAi does not meet the criteria to qualify as a highway-capable motor vehicle, and fits into other classes, such as neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV) in the United States and heavy quadricycle in Europe. [6]

The vehicle was originally known as simply the REVA, but was then improved and renamed the REVAi. [7] [8]

Design

The REVAi is a small three-door hatchback measuring 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in) long, 1.3 m (4 ft 3 in) wide and 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) high. The car can accommodate two adults in the front and two children in the rear. The back seats can be folded down to provide cargo space. The maximum passenger and cargo weight is 270 kg (600 lb).

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 United States, with a speed limiter that limits the speed to twenty five miles per hour, for use as a neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV).

Models

First model

On display at the 2009 Hampton Court Palace Flower Show Reva-10208.jpg
On display at the 2009 Hampton Court Palace Flower Show

The first model, produced from 2001 to 2007, was simply called REVA (G-Wiz in the United Kingdom). Its power flowed through a 400  amp motor controller to a DC motor rated at 4.8  kW (6.4  hp ), with a maximum of 13.1 kW (17.6 hp). Power came from eight 6  V, 200  Ah, 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 (25 mph).

REVAi

REVA i Electric power
Traction motorAC, 13 kW peak power
ChargerOnboard
Charging connectorCable to standard domestic 230 V 13 A outlet
Charge time8 hours to full power
Pack voltage48 V
Battery type8 lead–acid batteries
Battery rating6 V, 200 Ah each
Maximum speed80 km/h (50 mph)

In January 2008, a new model was introduced, the REVAi (G-Wiz i in the United Kingdom). It has an AC drive system, which raises the maximum speed to 80 km/h (50 mph). The power flows through a 350  Amp motor controller to a 3-phase AC motor rated at 13 kW (17 hp) 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 (50 mph)[ citation needed ]. It weighs 665 kg (1,466 lb), including 270 kg (600 lb) batteries. The nominal range is 80 km (50 mi), [9] but driving fast or using the heater or air conditioner reduces the range. [10] 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 (25 mph) by ARAI in India. [11]

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 (1,246 lb), offer greater acceleration, reduce charging time to six hours, and extend the nominal range to 120 km (75 mi). [12] The performance of these batteries is also less affected by variations in temperature. [13]

An off-board charging station is available, which requires three phase power and gives a 90% charge in one hour. [12] The REVA L-ion will also have a solar panel on the roof for harnessing solar energy. [14]

Comparison of models

REVA L-ionREVAiG-Wiz
Top speed50 mph (80 km/h)50 mph (80 km/h)50 mph (80 km/h)
Range75 mi (120 km)50 mi (80 km)50 mi (80 km)
Lotus assisted safety packYesYesNo
Upgradeable to lithium-ion batteries YesYesNo
Hill rolling-restraint featureYesYesYes
Regenerative brakesFirst 30%First 30%First 30%
Front brakes Disc brakes Disc brakesDrum brakes
Rear brakes Drum brakes Drum brakesDrum brakes
Anti-roll barYesYesYes
NEVS ElectricYesNoYes
TOGG C-cityNoYesYes

Sales and price

The car was available in the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Bhutan, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, The Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jamaica, Malta, Monaco, Nigeria, Nepal, The Netherlands, Norfolk Islands, Norway, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Sweden, Ukraine, The United Arab Emirates, The United States, and the United Kingdom. [4]

The different versions of the REVA sold about 4,600 vehicles worldwide by late 2013, and India was its main market, accounting for 55% of global sales, of which, 40% were in the Bangalore city, where Mahindra Reva is based. [3] The UK was one of the leading markets, and the REVA G-Wiz (as it was marketed in the country) was the top selling electric car in Britain for several years, particularly in London. [15]

Pricing

Pricing in the United Kingdom started at approximately £9,995 for the standard model [16] The G-Wiz qualifies for exemption from the London congestion charge due to being an electrically propelled vehicle. [17] The REVA was also sold in other European countries, including Spain and Norway. In Costa Rica, the REVAi was launched in March 2009 and is sold for US$13,000. [18] In the Chilean market was sold for US$12,000. [19]

The REVAi was available in the Republic of Ireland at a retail price of €11,500 for the REVA Standard and €17,500 for the better specified REVA Li-Ion. [20]

REVA was sold for ₹ 350,000 (US$7,130) in India and has a "running cost of just 40 paise/km" (40 paise [0.08 US cent]/km), considering the Indian petrol price of US$1/liter. [21]

Safety concerns

The REVA is exempt from most European crash test rules, because its low weight and power registers it in the European "heavy quadricycle" 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 (35 mph) into a deformable barrier on 24 April 2007, [22] 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. [23]

In October 2010, a fatal accident in London occurred between a G-Wiz and a Škoda Octavia, with the driver of the G-Wiz, British scientist Judit Nadal, being killed. The coroner Andrew Walker was quoted as saying about the G-Wiz at the inquest: “What concerns me is that this vehicle was destroyed in this collision in a way that I have not seen a vehicle destroyed before” [24] but he did not recommend further action regarding the vehicle's design. [25] Mr Walker said he would be writing to Transport for London about making improvements to the safety of the junction. [25] Subsequently, the government ordered an investigation into the safety of small electric vehicles. [24]

Current REVAi 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 (25 mph) frontal crash test video of the new model is available online. [11]

Reception and criticism

The REVAi has been panned by many critics, including criticisms that it is underpowered, unsafe, and ugly. [26] The BBC programme Top Gear has consistently and incessantly lambasted the G-Wiz, named it the Worst Car of 2007 and even blew it up later that same episode; co-presenter James May referred to it as "the worst car for this year - and indeed for every other year whilst we have breath in our bodies — it is the most stupid, useless and dangerous car ever to stalk the earth. It is totally terrible, and disgusting." [27]

In July 2004, The Independent reported Archie Norman owned a G-Wiz to commute around London, and outside London, he drove a Volkswagen Golf. [28]

In October 2013, Top Gear Magazine placed the G-Wiz on its list of "The 13 worst cars of the last 20 years." [29]

In December 2016, twenty G-Wiz vehicles were destroyed in an episode of The Grand Tour and continuing on the theme of lambasting the car, which the presenters started whilst working together on Top Gear . [30]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hybrid vehicle</span> Vehicle using two or more power sources

A hybrid vehicle is one that uses two or more distinct types of power, such as submarines that use diesel when surfaced and batteries when submerged. Other means to store energy include pressurized fluid in hydraulic hybrids.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AC Propulsion tzero</span> Motor vehicle

The tZero is a hand-built electric sports car designed and built in very limited numbers by the U.S. pioneering company AC Propulsion in the mid 1990's. It was the inspiration and direct predecessor of the Tesla line of electric cars. The only part of the tZero that was not proprietary was the body that was based on the Piontek Sportech sports car, yet many parts of the body and interior were extensively modified. It consists of a Kevlar & Carbon Fiber reinforced body built over a custom hand-built reinforced stainless steel fabricated to package batteries space frame with double wishbone independent suspension and rack and pinion steering. AC Propulsion utilized their AC-150 drivetrain, a single-speed electric system with an overall gear ratio of 9:1.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Euro NCAP</span> Car safety assessment programme

The European New Car Assessment Programme is a European voluntary car safety performance assessment programme based in Leuven, Belgium. Formed in 1996, the first results were released in February 1997. It was originally started by the Transport Research Laboratory for the UK Department for Transport but later backed by several European governments, as well as by the European Union (EU). Their slogan is "For Safer Cars".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neighborhood Electric Vehicle</span> US category of microcar

A Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) is a U.S. category for battery electric vehicles that are usually built to have a top speed of 25 miles per hour (40 km/h), and have a maximum loaded weight of 3,000 lb (1,400 kg). Depending on the particular laws of the state, they are legally limited to roads with posted speed limits of 35 miles per hour (56 km/h) or less. NEVs fall under the United States Department of Transportation classification for low-speed vehicles. The non-electric version of the neighborhood electric vehicle is the motorized quadricycle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Low-speed vehicle</span> Vehicle with low maximum capable speed

In the United States and Canada, low-speed vehicle (LSV) regulations allow relaxed design and registration laws for four-wheel vehicles that have a maximum capable speed of about 25 mph (40 km/h). Several other countries have similar regulations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eliica</span> Electric vehicle prototype

The Eliica is a supercar or an battery electric vehicle prototype or concept car first shown in 2004 and designed by a team at Keio University in Tokyo, led by Professor Hiroshi Shimizu. The 5.1 m (17 ft) car runs on a lithium-ion battery and can accelerate from 0–100 km/h (62 mph) in four seconds. In 2004, the Eliica reached a speed of 370 km/h (230 mph) on Italy's Nardò High Speed Track. The team's goal is to exceed 400 km/h (250 mph), breaking the record set by today's street-legal gasoline-powered vehicles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tesla Roadster (first generation)</span> Electric convertible sports car produced 2008–2012

The Tesla Roadster is a battery electric sports car, based on the Lotus Elise chassis, produced by Tesla Motors from 2008 to 2012. The Roadster was the first highway legal, serial production, all-electric car to use lithium-ion battery cells, and the first production all-electric car to travel more than 244 miles (393 km) per charge. It is also the first production car to be launched into deep space, carried by a Falcon Heavy rocket in a test flight on February 6, 2018.

MIEV (Mitsubishi In-wheel motor Electric Vehicle) or MiEV (Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle) is the name given by Japanese automaker Mitsubishi Motors (MMC) to its alternative propulsion technologies. From late 2006, “MiEV” encompasses all of Mitsubishi Motors’s electric drive systems work, including lithium-ion batteries, in-wheel motors and other technologies related to electric vehicle (EV), hybrid-electric vehicle and fuel-cell vehicles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buddy (electric car)</span> Motor vehicle

Buddy is a Norwegian electric city car, produced by Buddy Electric in the early 2000s, formerly known as Pure Mobility and Elbil Norge AS, at Økern in Oslo. In 2007, the Buddy, and its predecessor, the Kewet, made up 20% of the electric cars in Norway. Since its inception in 1991, combined sales of the Kewet and Buddy had totaled about 1,500 vehicles through October 2013, of which, 1,087 were registered in Norway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mahindra Last Mile Mobility Limited</span> Indian car manufacturer

Mahindra Last Mile Mobility Limited, formerly known as Mahindra Electric Mobility Limited (2016–2023) and Reva Electric Car Company (2010–2016), is an Indian company based in Bangalore that designs and manufactures compact electric vehicles. The company's first vehicle, the REVAi electric car, was available in 26 countries with 4,000 versions sold worldwide by mid-March 2011. Reva was acquired by Indian conglomerate Mahindra & Mahindra in May 2010. After the acquisition, the company launched the electric hatchback e2o in 2013. Today, the company sells electric vehicles in different segments – the electric sedan eVerito, the electric commercial vehicle eSupro, and the Treo range of low maintenance, lithium-ion battery-powered three-wheelers. Recently, Mahindra Electric became the first Indian car manufacturer to cross 170 million kilometres travelled on its fleet.

Reva may refer to:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mitsubishi i-MiEV</span> Five-door hatchback electric city car

The Mitsubishi i-MiEV is a five-door electric city car produced in the 2010s by Mitsubishi Motors, and is the electric version of the Mitsubishi i. Rebadged variants of the i-MiEV are also sold by PSA as the Peugeot iOn and Citroën C-Zero, mainly in Europe. The i-MiEV was the world's first modern highway-capable mass production electric car.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quadricycle (EU vehicle classification)</span> EU vehicle category for four-wheeled microcars

The quadricycle is a European Union vehicle category for four-wheeled microcars, which allows these vehicles to be designed to less stringent requirements when compared to regular cars. Quadricycles are defined by limitations in terms of weight, engine power and speed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Renault Twizy</span> Two-seat electric car

The Renault Twizy is a two-seat electric microcar designed and marketed by Renault. It is classified in Europe as either a light or heavy quadricycle depending on the output power, which is either 4 kW (5.4 hp) for the 45 model or 13 kW (17 hp) for the 80 model, both names reflecting its top speed in km/h. Originally manufactured in Valladolid, Spain, production was moved to Busan in South Korea in March 2019 to meet increased demand in Asia. In July 2023 it was announced that production of the Twizy was to end in September 2023; it is to be replaced by the new Mobilize Duo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coda (electric car)</span> Four-door, four passenger electric car manufactured by Coda Automotive

The Coda is a four-door, four passenger electric car once manufactured by Coda Automotive. After being rescheduled several times, deliveries to retail customers in the United States began in March 2012. The car was sold exclusively in California and only 117 units were delivered by April 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mahindra e2o</span> Urban electric car hatchback manufactured by Mahindra Reva

The Mahindra e2o, previously Reva NXR, is an urban electric car hatchback manufactured by Mahindra Reva or Reva Electric Vehicles in 2013–2017. The e2o is the successor of the REVAi and was developed using Reva's technology, and has a range of 120 km (75 mi).

Chetan Maini is a co-founder and Vice Chairman at SUN Mobility and an Indian business magnate in the electric car industry. He is best known for building India's first electric car, REVA, and as the Founder of Reva Electric Car Company Ltd, now Mahindra Electric Mobility Limited, where he served as an advisor. SUN Mobility, a joint venture between Virya Mobility 5.0 and SUN New Energy Systems, aims to be a provider of charging points and services to accelerate mass electric vehicle usage. Chetan is the director of Maini Group and co-founder of Virya Mobility 5.0. He is also an investor and on the board of several clean-tech start-ups.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mahindra XUV300</span> Subcompact SUV produced by the Indian automaker

The Mahindra XUV300 is a subcompact crossover SUV produced by the Indian automaker Mahindra & Mahindra. It is based on the X100 platform of SsangYong Tivoli and has been sold in the Indian market since February 2019. Mahindra slotted it in the segment along with their Bolero Neo to rival the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Tata Nexon and the Ford EcoSport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mahindra e2o Plus</span> Indian 5-door, 4-seater electric city car (2016-2019) by Mahindra Electric

The Mahindra e2o Plus was a 5-door, 4-seater electric city car produced between 2016 and 2019 by Mahindra Electric for the Indian market. Its front fascia styling was similar to that of its smaller predecessor, the Mahindra e2o. Unlike its predecessor, it was not sold in the United Kingdom.

References

  1. 1 2 Ferris, David (2013-03-04). "India's Only Electric Car Revamped to Woo Drivers". The New York Times . Retrieved 2013-05-11.
  2. ↑ "Driving Down Pollution". GoinGreen. Archived from the original on 2007-07-09. Retrieved 2009-05-04.
  3. 1 2 Alysha Webb (2013-12-23). "Indian EVs Await Government Support, But Some Owners Are Already Happy With Their Cars". PluginCars.com. Retrieved 2013-12-24.
  4. 1 2 "Mahindra REVA: Petrol-free REVA". REVA Electric Car Company. Archived from the original on 2012-02-15. Retrieved 2012-02-25.
  5. ↑ Gordon-Bloomfield, Nikki (2011-02-16). "EXCLUSIVE: What Killed The Electric Car? For G-Wiz, Other Electric Cars". Green Car Reports. Retrieved 2013-05-11.
  6. ↑ "Company Profile: Reva Electric Car Company". Eco20/20.
  7. ↑ "G-Wiz". Green Car Guide. 2008-05-14. Archived from the original on 2009-09-26.
  8. ↑ "In The Slow Lane". Newsweek:para 3. 2008-02-16. Retrieved 2008-02-28.
  9. ↑ "The REVA". Reva India. Archived from the original on 2008-02-11. Retrieved 2008-02-28.
  10. ↑ "G-Wiz — our urban friend's electric". Scotland on Sunday. 2006-04-30. Archived from the original on 2008-07-18. Retrieved 2008-02-28.
  11. 1 2 "REVA i safety". Revacar.be. Archived from the original on 2009-08-25. Retrieved 2011-11-05.
  12. 1 2 Yoney, Domenick (2009-01-04). "Reva Electric Car Company offering lithium ion option". Autobloggreen.com. Retrieved 2010-12-12.
  13. ↑ "G-Wiz Faq". GoinGreen. Archived from the original on 2011-07-24. Retrieved 2010-12-12.
  14. ↑ "Delhi vs. Detroit: India's Cheaper, Greener Cars | Newsweek Business". Newsweek.com. April 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-04.
  15. ↑ Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield (2013-08-30). "TLC needed: Can cars like the G-Wiz still have a purpose in life?". The Green Car Website. Archived from the original on 2013-10-29. Retrieved 2013-10-10.
  16. ↑ "The new G-Whiz". GoinGreen. Archived from the original on 2007-07-09. Retrieved 2008-02-28.
  17. ↑ "Discounts and exemptions | Transport for London". Cclondon.com. 2007-07-16. Retrieved 2010-12-12.
  18. ↑ Alejandro Vargas (2009-03-13). "Automóvil eléctrico ya recorre calles del país". La Nación (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2009-03-17. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
  19. ↑ "El Reva, auto de la India 100% eléctrico, es presentado en Chile" (in Spanish). Agence France-Presse. 2008-07-31. Archived from the original on 2009-05-28. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
  20. ↑ "Greenaer Brochure for REVA" (PDF). Retrieved 2010-09-16.[ permanent dead link ]
  21. ↑ "Business | India's iconic electric car". TheStar.com. Toronto. 2008-09-18. Retrieved 2009-05-04.
  22. ↑ Webster, Ben (2007-05-09). "Celebrity green car is declared unsafe". Times Online. London. Retrieved 2008-02-28.
  23. ↑ "G-Wiz crash test news — Electric shock". Top Gear. 2007-05-09. Archived from the original on 2008-04-15. Retrieved 2008-02-28.
  24. 1 2 "Crash inquest raises eco-vehicle fears". The Sunday Times. 2011-09-04. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved 2013-03-04.
  25. 1 2 I think I've made a mistake: Last words of scientist on phone before G-Wiz crash 31 August 2011 standard.co.uk, accessed 28 August 2019
  26. ↑ "G-Wiz vs Smart". The Telegraph. 2010-09-14. Retrieved 2012-12-17.
  27. ↑ "Top Gear". BBC. Retrieved 2012-12-17.
  28. ↑ Biggs, Henry (2004-07-26). "A new charge that could transform city motoring". Independent. UK. Retrieved 2017-03-16.
  29. ↑ "The 13 Worst Cars of the Last 20 Years". Top Gear magazine . 2013-10-31. Archived from the original on 2014-10-19. Retrieved 2014-10-12.
  30. ↑ "The Grand Tour in numbers: The costs behind the £160million Amazon Prime series". Daily Star. 12 November 2016. Retrieved 2016-12-17.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.