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