REVA announces lithium-ion electric car

Reva Electric Car Company (REVA), announces the European launch of its lithium-ion (li-ion) battery powered EV the REVA L-ion.  Based on the REVAi platform, the current version of the world’s best selling city electric car, the REVA L-ion is the result of more than two years of testing, with a range of 75 miles per charge and a maximum speed of 50 miles per hour. REVA is also introducing a fast charge station capable of charging the REVA L-ion to 90% in one hour.

REVA’s proven EV platform now offers an increased range, faster acceleration, shorter charging time, less energy consumption, improved cold weather performance, maintenance-free battery operation and a longer operating life. REVA has also developed a new proprietary intelligent battery management system for the L-ion that tracks the performance of each cell for uninterrupted performance, which allows a three-year battery warranty to be provided to customers.

The new REVA off-board fast charge station, which gives a 90% charge in one hour, uses three-phase power. It is primarily aimed at organisations that require constant vehicle availability during the day and will be offered to purchase or lease. The REVA L-ion’s normal full charging time is six hours using ordinary mains electricity, with an 80% charge taking 3.5 hours.

‘With the REVAi and REVA L-ion, we are now able to offer a choice of performance options to suit commuter needs and preferences. The introduction of fast charge stations really opens up the market to reach new customers and increase the availability of EVs. Local authorities and businesses can now create the charging and parking infrastructure necessary to make zero- emission personal transport an everyday reality,’ said Chetan Maini, REVA’s deputy chairman and chief technology officer.

The REVA L-ion EV and fast charge stations will be available to pre-order from REVA distributors in Norway, UK, France, Cyprus, Greece, Spain, Belgium and Ireland from February 2009, with the first test drive vehicles and customer deliveries commencing May 2009. Customers will have the option of outright purchase or battery leasing, with prices to be announced by the end of January.  REVA’s European expansion, under the guidance of Keith Johnston, president of European operations, will continue throughout 2009, with new distributors being sought in all European countries.

REVA is also developing upgrade kits that will enable existing REVA(G-Wiz in the UK) owners with an ac motor and lead acid powertrain to upgrade to the lithium-ion powertrain later in 2009.

Although the economic downturn is hurting all companies involved in vehicle retail at the moment, GoinGreen remains in good financial health and can weather what it views as a temporary general decline in EV sales. Indeed, GoinGreen believes that as the public tightens its belt, the low cost motoring offered by the G-Wiz actually becomes a stronger proposition. From just £7,995 on the road and with fuel costs of under 2p per mile, low insurance and free or reduced fee parking in many London boroughs it is now the time for people to re-examine the G-Wiz for their urban driving requirements. Infrastructure, such as electric recharging points, is also on the increase in the capital. With potential savings of up to £6,000 a year, it has never been a better time to explore the idea of driving electric over a traditional petrol car.

“The Government recently backed the development of electric vehicle technology as it is an opportunity for the UK to take the lead and that we need to seize the opportunity given the state of the global economy. Other EVs are due to come to market, although most of these are still several years away or are very expensive. However, in the four years since GoinGreen launched, over 1,100 Londoners have experienced cheap and zero emissions driving in London by owning a G-Wiz,” says Steve Hartridge, managing director of GoinGreen.