Mahindra Electric

Mahindra Electric Mobility Limited, formerly known as the Reva Electric Car Company, is an Indian company based in Bangalore, involved in designing and manufacturing of compact electric vehicles. The company's first vehicle was the REVAi electric car, available in 26 countries with more than 4,000 of its different versions sold worldwide by mid March 2011.[1][2] Reva was acquired by Indian conglomerate Mahindra & Mahindra in May 2010. After the acquisition, the company launched the electric hatchback e2o in 2013.[3] Today, the company sells electric vehicles in different segments – the electric sedan eVerito, the electric commercial vehicle eSupro (passenger and cargo) 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 eKilometres traveled on its fleet.

Mahindra Electric Mobility Limited
FormerlyReva Electric Car Company
IndustryAutomotive
Founded1994 (1994)
FounderChetan Maini
HeadquartersBangalore, India
Key people
Mahesh Babu (CEO)
ProductsElectric vehicles
ParentMahindra & Mahindra
Websitemahindraelectric.com

History

The Reva Electric Car Company (RECC) was founded in 1994 by Chetan Maini, as a joint venture between the Maini Group of Bangalore and Amerigon Electric Vehicle Technologies (AEVT Inc.) of the USA.[4] The company's sole aim was to develop and produce an affordable compact electric car. Several other automakers were also aiming to do so, but in 2001 RECC launched the REVA.

REVA was an acronym for "Revolutionary Electric Vehicle Alternative".[5]

Two REVAis and a Mahindra e2o at a Mahindra REVA dealership in Kathmandu, Nepal.

RECC joined up with several automotive experts to develop components for REVA. Curtis Instruments, Inc. of USA developed a Motor Controller specifically for the car. The car had a power pack for which Tudor India Limited supplied customized Prestolite batteries. The Charger for Reva was developed by Modular Power Systems of USA (a division of TDI Power). Later, RECC started manufacturing the charger themselves through a technical collaboration agreement between MPS and the Maini Group.[6]

In 2004 GoinGreen of the UK entered into an agreement with RECC to import REVA cars and market them under the G-Wiz moniker.

In 2008 a revamped REVA model was launched called the REVAi. The company started production of a Lithium-ion variant called the REVA L-ion in 2009.

In 2009 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Reva presented its future models Reva NXR and Reva NXG.[7] During the event Reva and General Motors India declared a technical collaboration to develop affordable EV for the Indian market.[8] As a result of this General Motors India announced an electric version of their hatchback in the New Delhi Auto Expo 2010: named the e-Spark, Reva was to provide battery technology.[9]

On 26 May 2010, India's largest sports utility vehicles and tractor maker Mahindra & Mahindra bought a 55.2% controlling stake in Reva. Following the deal, the company was renamed Mahindra Reva Electric Vehicles Private Limited.[10] Mahindra's president of automotive business, Pawan Goenka, became the new company's chairman. As a result of the ownership change General Motors pulled out of the tie-up with Reva that was to produce the e-spark.[11]

In Feb 2011 GoinGreen, the UK's exclusive importer of the G-Wiz, announced that it was no longer stocking the model (although it would order them on a 4-6-week lead time when requested by customers).[12][13]

In 2016, the company was rebranded as Mahindra Electric Mobility Ltd. With the intention to reflect not just the business line of producing vehicles, but also developing powertrains and integrated mobility solutions.[14]

Products

REVA and REVAi
The REVAi, known also as G-Wiz i, charging at an on-street station in London.
Main article: REVAi

Mahindra Reva currently produces two versions of the REVAi, an urban electric micro-car seating two adults and two children:

  • REVAi, equipped with lead-acid batteries, which has a nominal range of 80 km (50 mi) per charge and a top speed of 80 km/h (50 mph).
  • REVA L-ion, equipped with Lithium-ion batteries, which has higher acceleration and a nominal range of 120 km (75 mi) per charge.[15]

The REVA went on sale in India in 2001 and in the UK since 2003. The different versions of the REVA have sold more than 4,000 vehicles worldwide by mid March 2011[1] and is also available in the following countries: Bhutan, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Malta, Monaco, Nepal, Norfolk Islands, Norway, Peru, the Philippines, Portugal, Spain, and Sri Lanka.[2] 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.

In 2005, Reva showcased the REVA-NXG, a two-seater roadster concept car with a nominal range of 200 km (124 mi) per charge and a top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph).[16]

Mahindra e2o
REVA NXR concept car.
Main article: Mahindra e2o

The Mahindra e2o, previously REVA NXR, is an urban electric car hatchback manufactured by the Mahindra Group. The e2o is the REVA G-Wiz successor and was developed using REVA's technology. The REVA NXR electric concept car was unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. Export production was initially scheduled for 2012. Production was initially scheduled for late 2010 with deliveries slated for early 2011.[17] The e2o was launched in India in March 2013 at a price of ₹5,96,000 (US$11,000) after a 29% government subsidy granted by the state of Delhi. The e2o was also launched in Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, and Kochi. Mahindra also launched the vehicle in the UK but later, in May 2017 withdrew from the market.[18]

The electric car has a lithium-ion battery pack that takes five hours for a full charge, and with a weight of 830 kg (1,830 lb), delivers a range of 100 km (62 mi) and a top speed of 90 km/h (56 mph).[19][20] The product was eventually pulled from the market following the launch of its four-door successor.[21]

e-Verito

The e-Verito was launched in 2016[22] and was Mahindra's second electric car. Based on the normal Verito, which was an evolution of the Mahindra Renault joint venture Dacia Logan, it features a 21.2 kWh battery with a claimed range of 181 km.

Treo and Treo Yaari

In Nov 2018, Mahindra Electric launched the Treo range of three-wheelers, powered by Lithium-ion technology. The range consists of the Treo, electric auto and Treo Yaari, electric rickshaw. The Treo auto boasts an ARAI certified driving range of 170 km and has a typical driving range of 130 km on the Mahindra Treo after 3 hours 50 minutes of charging. The certified range on the Treo Yaari is 130 km that can hit a typical driving range of 85 km after 2 hours 30 minutes of charging. Both have a direct drive transmission type, and the Treo has a peak power of 5.4 kW and a peak torque of 30 Nm. The Treo Yaari has a peak power of 1.96 kW and a peak torque of 19 Nm.

Both the Treo and the Treo Yaari have a wheel base of 2050 mm and a turning radius of 2.9 m. The Treo range has a vehicle kerb weight between 340-350 kg, while the Treo Yaari range has a vehicle kerb weight between 265-275 kg.

Mahindra Electric recently signed an MoU with TWU (Three Wheels United), a social enterprise providing affordable financing for autorickshaw drivers and Smart E for supplying a total of 2,000 Treo units in 2020.[23]

Future
The next Generation of Reva, Reva NXG.

Prior to the Mahindra acquisition, Reva had partnered with Bannon Automotive to set up an assembly plant in upstate New York to produce the NXR for the US market.

In 2014 displayed all-electric sports car concept called Halo.[24] It is claimed to reach 0-100 km/h under 8 sec with a top speed of 160 km/h and range of over 200 km in one full range. The Halo boasts a large tablet on the centre console that displays various car functions in real-time and doubles up as a multimedia player.[25]

In 2018 Mahindra showed a concept for a small electric quadricycle called the Atom, with the production version of this auto-rickshaw based 4 wheeler shown at the 2020 Auto Expo.[26][27][28][29][30] Like the REVAi/G-Wiz the quadricycle will be built in Bengaluru and will join larger EV models like the Mahindra eXUV300[31] and eKUV100 in the company's range sometime in 2021.

Mahindra Electric and Formula E

Formula E car was showcased by Mahindra Electric, as a part of the Mahindra group in the 2014 Auto Expo at Delhi.[32] Mahindra Electric team worked closely with the Mahindra Racing, the racing division of Mahindra Group, to get the Formula E cars ready for the first race of the inaugural FIA Formula E Championship, which took place at Beijing in September 2014. Mahindra Racing Team is the only Indian team to race in Inaugural Formula E championship.[33] Following a successful first ever Formula E race in Beijing, Mahindra Racing explored the possibility of bringing the electrically-powered car series to India in the 2016-2017 season.[34]

Besides creating a mark on the global e-racing scene, the knowledge and technology from such Formula E cars will be used for commercial electric cars [35] with performance characteristics usually seen in cars with high-performance internal combustion engines.[36]

See also

References
  1. Praveena Sharma (17 March 2011). "Govt subsidy may rev up Reva sales". Daily News & Analysis India. Retrieved 31 March 2011.
  2. "Mahindra REVA: Petrol-free REVA". REVA Electric Car Company. Archived from the original on 15 February 2012. Retrieved 25 February 2012. Click on Sales and Service Locator
  3. "Mahindra launches electric car, e2o". The Hindu.
  4. "About us". Archived from the original on 7 January 2001.
  5. Exide Technologies to Supply Batteries to REVA Electric Vehicle Project; Company Signs Agreement as Sole Battery Supplier May 15, 2001 press release.
  6. "Other Collaborators". Archived from the original on 9 April 2001.
  7. "Frankfurt 2009: Reva NXG looks ready to stomp, NXR is ready for order". Autoblog Green.
  8. "GM India and Reva announce electric vehicle partnership". Autoblog Green.
  9. "Auto Expo 2010: e-Spark headed here in October". Business Standard Motoring.
  10. "India's Mahindra buys majority stake in Reva". AFP. 26 May 2010.
  11. "GM to pull out of e-Spark project". Business Standard Motoring.
  12. "Report: UK Sales of G-Wiz electric car to end this fall". Autoblog Green.
  13. "Is the G-Wiz electric car finally dead?". Rory Reid. 17 February 2011. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  14. "Mahindra's Electric Mobility Division Rebranded As 'Mahindra Electric'". NDTV. 9 September 2016.
  15. Yoney, Domenick (4 January 2009). "Reva Electric Car Company offering lithium ion option". Autobloggreen.com. Retrieved 15 October 2010.
  16. "Reva NXG Electric Car". Tomw.net.au. Retrieved 15 October 2010.
  17. "Reva explains "rescheduling" of pilot production of NXR electric car". AutoblogGreen. 31 March 2010. Retrieved 12 June 2010.
  18. "Mahindra Stops Sales Of e2o Electric Car In UK". NDTV. 4 May 2017.
  19. "Mahindra launches electric car 'e20' priced at Rs 5.96 lakh". The Indian Express. 18 March 2013. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
  20. Antony Ingram (18 March 2013). "Mahindra E2O Electric Minicar Launches In India, Nee Reva NXR". Green Car Reports. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
  21. "Mahindra e2o Two-Door Officially Discontinued In India; Exports To Continue". NDTV. 24 November 2016.
  22. "Mahindra e-Verito launched at Rs 9.50 lakh". Economic Times. 2 June 2016. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
  23. PTI. "Mahindra's electric vehicle sales rise over 2.5 times in FY19". @businessline. Retrieved 24 December 2019.
  24. "Auto Expo 2014: Mahindra Halo electric sportscar revealed".
  25. http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-02-22/news/47581746_1_mahindra-reva-e2o-maini
  26. https://electricvehicleweb.in/10-electric-cars-india-2020-2021/
  27. https://auto.hindustantimes.com
  28. https://www.livemint.com/auto-news/mahindra-reveals-teaser-for-small-4-seater-electric-vehicle-atom-11594099174523.html
  29. https://www.drivespark.com/four-wheelers/2020/mahindra-atom-electric-quadricycle-teased-ahead-of-india-launch-next-year-details/articlecontent-pf120236-031713.html
  30. https://www.indiacarnews.com/news/mahindra-atom-electric-key-features-revealed-in-a-video-40623/
  31. https://www.carandbike.com/mahindra-cars/exuv300
  32. "Formula E car was showcased by Mahindra Electric, as a part of the Mahindra group in the 2014 Auto Expo at Delhi". India Today. 5 February 2014.
  33. "Mahindra Racing - Formula E Championship". Mahindra Racing. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  34. "Formula E a possibility in India in 2016-17: Mahindra Racing". Firstpost. 10 October 2014.
  35. http://www.businessworld.in/news/business/auto/mahindra-reva-to-launch-formula-e-&-concept-electric-sports-car/1238258/page-1.html Archived 2015-04-16 at the Wayback Machine
  36. "Mahindra Reva to leverage Formula e racing to develop new cars".
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