New REVA Electric Car Boosts Range and Speed
by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA 
on 01. 6.09
Image credit: Autoblog Green
Upgrade Makes EV Viable for 95% of All Journeys
So a DIY car powered on walnut shells is not your thing - what about an electric car? While UK electric vehicle retailer NICE may have been hit by the financial crisis, and while the Norwegian electric car manufacturer THINK! may be in urgent need of a bail out - their Indian-made rival REVA – sold as the G-Wiz in the UK – still seems to be going strong. Having upgraded the range and speed of the REVA/G-Wiz last year, February will see yet another boost in performance with the launch of the REVA L-ion. The company claims the new technology will greatly increase the appeal of the REVA/G-Wiz, making it a viable transport option for the suburbs as well as the city – read on for the impressive details.
The new version of the REVA will be capable of a range of 120 km (75 miles) per charge and a maximum speed of 80 km (50 miles) per hour. The company is also launching a fast charging station, offering a 90% charge in one hour. While these kind of numbers are far from making the REVA a drop-in replacement for the petrol car, REVA points out that the vast majority of journey’s are well within the vehicle’s range:
Research conducted by Professor Julia King for 2008’s King Review of low carbon cars concludes that 93% of car journeys are less than 40 kms (25 miles) and 97% are less than 80 kms (50 miles). REVA’s own data, based on 55 million kms of driving habits by customers in 20 cities worldwide also reflects the nature of every day city driving and the number of short trips. REVA’s decision to offer this combination of increased range and speed extends the L-ion's usage to the suburbs and means that up to 95% of all car journeys can be completed without the requirement to recharge.
And for those still in doubt about the viability of such vehicles, check out Eric Leech’s plea for action over at Planet Green, calling on us all to keep buying electric cars.
More on the G-Wiz/REVA
London’s Popular Electric Vehicle Gets an Upgrade: The G-Wiz i
G-Wiz Virus Spreading Fast
G-Wiz Caught on Camera
Clarkson Trashes G-Wiz, G-Wiz Fights Back
London Electric Car Company Collaborates with Top Designers
G-Wiz Crash Test Unfair
Interview With GoinGreen CEO Keith Johnston, Part One
Interview With GoinGreen CEO Keith Johnston, Part Two
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Any word on price?
There are sites that sell retrofit L-ion Reva batteries for about $8,000USD.
If not for London's abusive congestion charges, there would be no market for these gadgets.
I want one!
If it came to America, it would be restricted to NEV status due to lack of safety features required on "regular" cars. Range would be great, but at 25 mph (or 35 mph depending on what state you reside in), it might take a while to get there.
Our loss.
This would be perfect for my needs - the only regular reason I need something faster than a Zenn is to cross one of the bridges out of town to my father-in-law's place, where the speed limit of 80Km/h is also the minimum, enforced by the police.
Too bad it would be illegal to drive one that fast. Not that I'd really want to, they're not very sturdy in a crash.
The question is, have they improved safety? The reva failed crash tests dismally when they were done recently, which stopped them being sold here in Australia.
I have to say, after seeing the results of the low speed tests, there is no way you would get me in one, unless it was in a NEV situation (which doesn't exist here in Oz, generally)...