REVAi#First model

The REVAi is a small three-door hatchback measuring {{convert|2.6|m|ftin|abbr=on}} long, {{convert|1.3|m|ftin|abbr=on}} wide and {{convert|1.5|m|ftin|abbr=on}} high. The car can accommodate two adults in the front and two children in the rear. The back seats can be folded down to provide cargo space. The maximum passenger and cargo weight is {{convert|270|kg|abbr=on}}.

The REVAi is intended for city trips and commuting, particularly in congested traffic. It is registered in Europe as a heavy quadricycle (category L7). It may be exported to the United States, with a speed limiter that limits the speed to twenty five miles per hour, for use as a neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV).

File:Reva-10208.jpg Flower Show]]

The first model, produced from 2001 to 2007, was simply called REVA (G-Wiz in the United Kingdom). Its power flowed through a 400 amp motor controller to a DC motor rated at {{convert|4.8|kW|abbr=on|lk=on}}, with a maximum of {{convert|13.1|kW|abbr=on}}. Power came from eight 6 V, 200 Ah, lead-acid batteries located under the front seats and wired in series to create 48 V. This model did not have the strengthened chassis that allows subsequent models to pass a crash test at {{convert|40|km/h|abbr=on}}.

In January 2008, a new model was introduced, the REVAi (G-Wiz i in the United Kingdom). It has an AC drive system, which raises the maximum speed to {{convert|80|km/h|mi/h|0|abbr=on}}. The power flows through a 350 Amp motor controller to a 3-phase AC motor rated at {{convert|13|kW|abbr=on}} peak. Like the REVA, power comes from eight 6 V, 200 A h lead–acid batteries located under the front seats.

It has a "boost" switch that gives 40% extra torque for improved acceleration and hill climbing and increases the top speed to {{convert|80|km/h|abbr=on}}{{Citation needed|reason=Sentence is contradictory; original speed and "boost" speed are the same. The appropriate figures should be found.|date=April 2016}}. It weighs {{convert|665|kg|abbr=on}}, including {{convert|270|kg|abbr=on}} batteries. The nominal range is {{convert|80|km|abbr=on}},{{cite web |url =http://www.revaindia.com/aboutevs.htm | title = The REVA | accessdate = 2008-02-28 | publisher = Reva India |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080211122456/http://www.revaindia.com/aboutevs.htm |archivedate = 2008-02-11}} but driving fast or using the heater or air conditioner reduces the range.{{cite news | url = http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/uk/GWiz--our-urban-friends.2771500.jp | title = G-Wiz — our urban friend's electric | date = 2006-04-30 | accessdate = 2008-02-28 | newspaper = Scotland on Sunday | archive-date = 2008-07-18 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080718051259/http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/uk/GWiz--our-urban-friends.2771500.jp | url-status = dead }} To address the previous safety concerns, and in conjunction with Lotus Engineering, several new safety features have been added, such as front disc brakes, a collapsible steering column, and a much revised and reinforced chassis that has been successfully crash tested at {{convert|40|km/h|abbr=on}} by ARAI in India.{{cite web|url=http://www.revacar.be/safety.asp |title=REVA i safety |publisher=Revacar.be |accessdate=2011-11-05 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090825222722/http://www.revacar.be/safety.asp |archivedate=2009-08-25}}

In January 2009, a new model was launched, the REVA L-ion. It is similar to the REVAi, but powered by high performance lithium-ion batteries, which reduce the car's curb weight to {{convert|565|kg|abbr=on}}, offer greater acceleration, reduce charging time to six hours, and extend the nominal range to {{convert|120|km|abbr=on}}.{{cite web|last=Yoney |first=Domenick |url=http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/01/04/reva-electric-car-company-offering-lithium-ion-option/ |title=Reva Electric Car Company offering lithium ion option |publisher=Autobloggreen.com |date=2009-01-04 |accessdate=2010-12-12}} The performance of these batteries is also less affected by variations in temperature.{{cite web |url=http://www.goingreen.co.uk/store/content/gwiz_faq/ |title=G-Wiz Faq |publisher=GoinGreen |accessdate=2010-12-12 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724142004/http://www.goingreen.co.uk/store/content/gwiz_faq/ |archivedate=2011-07-24 }}

An off-board charging station is available, which requires three phase power and gives a 90% charge in one hour. The REVA L-ion will also have a solar panel on the roof for harnessing solar energy.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/192145?from=rss |title=Delhi vs. Detroit: India's Cheaper, Greener Cars | Newsweek Business |publisher=Newsweek.com |date= April 2009|accessdate=2009-05-04}}

The car was available in the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Bhutan, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, The Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jamaica, Malta, Monaco, Nigeria, Nepal, The Netherlands, Norfolk Islands, Norway, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Sweden, Ukraine, The United Arab Emirates, The United States, and the United Kingdom.{{cite web|url=http://www.petrolfreeworld.com/ |title=Mahindra REVA: Petrol-free REVA |publisher=REVA Electric Car Company |accessdate=2012-02-25 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120215120617/http://www.petrolfreeworld.com/ |archivedate=2012-02-15}}

The different versions of the REVA sold about 4,600 vehicles worldwide by late 2013, and India was its main market, accounting for 55% of global sales, of which, 40% were in the Bangalore city, where Mahindra Reva is based.{{cite web|url=http://www.plugincars.com/indian-evs-await-government-support-some-owners-are-very-happy-their-cars-129145.html|title=Indian EVs Await Government Support, But Some Owners Are Already Happy With Their Cars |author=Alysha Webb|publisher=PluginCars.com|date=2013-12-23|accessdate=2013-12-24}} The UK was one of the leading markets, and the REVA G-Wiz (as it was marketed in the country) was the top selling electric car in Britain for several years, particularly in London.{{cite web|url=http://www.thegreencarwebsite.co.uk/blog/index.php/2013/08/30/tlc-needed-can-cars-like-the-g-wiz-still-have-a-purpose-in-life/|title=TLC needed: Can cars like the G-Wiz still have a purpose in life?|author=Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield|publisher=The Green Car Website|date=2013-08-30|accessdate=2013-10-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029212326/http://www.thegreencarwebsite.co.uk/blog/index.php/2013/08/30/tlc-needed-can-cars-like-the-g-wiz-still-have-a-purpose-in-life/|archive-date=2013-10-29|url-status=dead}}

;Pricing

Pricing in the United Kingdom started at approximately {{GBP|9,995}} for the standard model{{cite web|url =http://www.goingreen.co.uk/store|title =The new G-Whiz|accessdate =2008-02-28|publisher =GoinGreen|url-status =dead|archiveurl =https://web.archive.org/web/20070709234740/http://www.goingreen.co.uk/store|archivedate =2007-07-09}} The G-Wiz qualifies for exemption from the London congestion charge due to being an electrically propelled vehicle.{{cite web|url=http://www.cclondon.com/exemptions.shtml |title=Discounts and exemptions | Transport for London |publisher=Cclondon.com |date=2007-07-16 |accessdate=2010-12-12}} The REVA was also sold in other European countries, including Spain and Norway. In Costa Rica, the REVAi was launched in March 2009 and is sold for {{USD|13,000}}.{{cite news|url=http://www.nacion.com/ln_ee/2009/marzo/14/aldea1904753.html|title=Automóvil eléctrico ya recorre calles del país|author=Alejandro Vargas|newspaper=La Nación|date=2009-03-13|accessdate=2009-04-20|language=Spanish|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090317172052/http://www.nacion.com/ln_ee/2009/marzo/14/aldea1904753.html|archivedate=2009-03-17}} In the Chilean market was sold for {{USD|12,000}}.{{cite web|url=http://noticias.cl.msn.com/articulo.aspx?cp-documentid=8993757|title=El Reva, auto de la India 100% eléctrico, es presentado en Chile|author=|publisher=Agence France-Presse|date=2008-07-31|accessdate=2009-04-20|language=Spanish|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090528132947/http://noticias.cl.msn.com/articulo.aspx?cp-documentid=8993757|archive-date=2009-05-28|url-status=dead}}

The REVAi was available in the Republic of Ireland at a retail price of {{euro|11,500}} for the REVA Standard and {{euro|17,500}} for the better specified REVA Li-Ion.{{cite web | url = http://www.greenaer.ie/REVA%20EBrouchure.pdf | title = Greenaer Brochure for REVA | accessdate = 2010-09-16 }}{{dead link|date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

REVA was sold for {{INR}} 350,000 ({{USD|7,130}}) in India and has a "running cost of just 40 paise/km" (40 paise [0.08 US cent]/km), considering the Indian petrol price of {{USD|1}}/liter.{{ cite news | url = https://www.thestar.com/Business/article/501395 | title = Business | India's iconic electric car | work = TheStar.com | date = 2008-09-18 | accessdate = 2009-05-04 | location=Toronto}}

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.

The UK Department for Transport found "serious safety concerns" after crashing a now-discontinued G-Wiz at {{convert|56|km/h|abbr=on}} into a deformable barrier on 24 April 2007,{{cite news | url = https://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/science/article1764088.ece | title = Celebrity green car is declared unsafe | date = 2007-05-09 | access-date = 2008-02-28 | newspaper = Times Online | location=London | first=Ben | last=Webster}} which is part of the normal test for production cars. Likewise, a test commissioned by Top Gear Magazine that followed the Euro NCAP crash test specifications found that the occupants would suffer "serious or life-threatening" injuries in a 64 km/h (40 mph) crash.{{cite news | url = http://www.topgear.com/content/news/stories/1832/ | title = G-Wiz crash test news — Electric shock | date = 2007-05-09 | accessdate = 2008-02-28 | publisher = Top Gear | url-status = dead | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080415233006/http://www.topgear.com/content/news/stories/1832/ | archivedate = 2008-04-15 }}

In October 2010, a fatal accident in London occurred between a G-Wiz and a Škoda Octavia, with the driver of the G-Wiz, British scientist Judit Nadal, being killed. The coroner Andrew Walker was quoted as saying about the G-Wiz at the inquest: “What concerns me is that this vehicle was destroyed in this collision in a way that I have not seen a vehicle destroyed before”{{cite web |title=Crash inquest raises eco-vehicle fears |url=http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/ingear/cars/Driving/article766838.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714183146/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/ingear/cars/Driving/article766838.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |work=The Sunday Times |accessdate=2013-03-04 |date=2011-09-04}} but he did not recommend further action regarding the vehicle's design. Mr Walker said he would be writing to Transport for London about making improvements to the safety of the junction.[https://www.standard.co.uk/news/i-think-ive-made-a-mistake-last-words-of-scientist-on-phone-before-g-wiz-crash-6438558.html I think I've made a mistake: Last words of scientist on phone before G-Wiz crash] 31 August 2011 standard.co.uk, accessed 28 August 2019 Subsequently, the government ordered an investigation into the safety of small electric vehicles.

Current REVAi and REVA L-ion models include several new safety features such as front disc brakes, a collapsible steering column, and a much revised and reinforced chassis that has been successfully crash tested in India by ARAI. A {{convert|40|km/h|abbr=on}} frontal crash test video of the new model is available online.

The REVAi has been panned by many critics, including criticisms that it is underpowered, unsafe, and ugly.{{cite web |title=G-Wiz vs Smart |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/green-motoring/7984610/G-Wiz-vs-Smart.html |work=The Telegraph |accessdate=2012-12-17 |date=2010-09-14}} The BBC programme Top Gear has consistently and incessantly lambasted the G-Wiz, named it the Worst Car of 2007 and even blew it up later that same episode; co-presenter James May referred to it as "the worst car for this year – and indeed for every other year whilst we have breath in our bodies – it is the most stupid, useless and dangerous car ever to stalk the earth. It is totally terrible, and disgusting."{{cite web |title=Top Gear |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b008m4dy |work=BBC |accessdate=2012-12-17}}

In July 2004, The Independent reported Archie Norman owned a G-Wiz to commute around London, and outside London, he drove a Volkswagen Golf.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/motoring/features/a-new-charge-that-could-transform-city-motoring-554535.html |title=A new charge that could transform city motoring |work=Independent |location=UK |date=2004-07-26 |accessdate=2017-03-16 |first=Henry |last=Biggs}}

In October 2013, Top Gear Magazine placed the G-Wiz on its list of "The 13 worst cars of the last 20 years."{{cite magazine |url=http://www.topgear.com/uk/photos/The-13-worst-cars-of-the-last-20-years-2013-10-30 |title=The 13 Worst Cars of the Last 20 Years |magazine=Top Gear magazine |date=2013-10-31 |accessdate=2014-10-12 |archive-date=2014-10-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019020041/http://www.topgear.com/uk/photos/The-13-worst-cars-of-the-last-20-years-2013-10-30 |url-status=dead }}

In December 2016, twenty G-Wiz vehicles were destroyed in an episode of The Grand Tour and continuing on the theme of lambasting the car, which the presenters started whilst working together on Top Gear.{{cite web |title=The Grand Tour in numbers: The costs behind the £160million Amazon Prime series |url=http://www.dailystar.co.uk/showbiz-tv/hot-tv/561259/The-Grand-Tour-Amazon-Prime-series-costs-Jeremy-Clarkson-Richard-Hammond-James-May |work=Daily Star |date=12 November 2016 |accessdate=2016-12-17}}

• City car
• Government incentives for plug-in electric vehicles
• Kei car
• List of modern production plug-in electric vehicles
• List of production battery electric vehicles
• Neighborhood electric vehicle
• Mahindra e2o
• Zero-emissions vehicle

{{commons category|REVAi}}

{{reflist|2}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20140201090657/http://gwiz.wonko3.myfastforum.org/ REVA Electric Car Club]

Category:Production electric cars

Category:Electric city cars

Category:Cars of India

Category:Car brands

Category:Cars introduced in 2001