REVA Introduces Li-ion EV and Fast Charge Station

5 January 2009

Reva Electric Car Company (REVA), the maker of the REVAi electric city car (G-Wiz in the UK) (earlier post) has launched the Lithium-ion powered REVA L-ion in Europe.

Based on the REVAi platform, the REVA L-ion offers a range of 120 km (75 miles) per charge and a maximum speed of 80 km (50 miles) per hour. REVA has also developed a new proprietary intelligent battery management system for the L-ion that tracks the performance of each cell. REVA will offer a three-year battery warranty.

REVA is also introducing a fast charge station capable of charging the REVA L-ion to 90% in one hour.

The new REVA off-board fast charge station uses three-phase power and is primarily aimed at organizations 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.

The REVA L-ion (classified as a quadricycle under UK and European law) 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 is also developing upgrade kits that will enable existing REVA owners with an AC motor and lead acid powertrain to upgrade to the lithium-ion powertrain later in 2009.

The REVAi features a 13 kW (peak) AC induction motor that develops up to 52 Nm (38 lb-ft) of torque.

Bangalore, India-based Reva Electric Car Company is a joint venture between Maini Group of India and AEV LLC of California and is venture-backed by lead US investors Global Environment Fund and Draper Fisher Jurveston.