Electric cars are not a new concept for India. Long before the current craze for EVs, Mahindra & Mahindra had launched the country’s first electric car, Mahindra Revai, which was a two-seater battery-run vehicle. Mahindra has been a leader in electric car development for many years and has plans to launch more EVs in the future.
History of Revai
Revai was introduced in India in 2001 by Reva Electric Car Company (RECC), a joint venture between the Manny Group of Bangalore and AEV LLC of America. The company’s vision was to create affordable and eco-friendly electric cars. Revai was a small and compact car that could accommodate two people. It was also launched in London under the name G-WIZ in 2004. In 2010, Mahindra acquired RECC and renamed it as Mahindra Electric Mobility Limited.
Revai used a lead-acid battery that could travel up to 80 km on a single charge. There was also a lithium-ion battery pack model that could cover up to 120 km on a single charge. The car had a top speed of 80 kmph and was equipped with features like regenerative braking, remote diagnostics, and AC.
Challenges and the end of Revai
Revai was a revolutionary car for its time, but it faced many challenges in the Indian market. Back then, people were not aware of the benefits of electric cars and preferred petrol and diesel vehicles. The EV infrastructure and charging stations were also lacking in the country. Moreover, Revai had a high price tag compared to other small cars and had limited space and performance. These factors led to low sales and popularity of Revai.
Mahindra eventually stopped selling Revai and focused on other electric models like E20 and Everito. E20 was launched in 2013 as an upgraded version of Revai with more features and design. Everito was launched for fleet service as an electric sedan. Mahindra also launched the XUV300 EV, which is currently one of the best-selling electric cars in India.
Mahindra has announced that it will introduce five new electric cars by 2025, including SUVs, sedans, and hatchbacks. Mahindra is working fast on electric car innovation and aims to capture the growing EV market in India.
Mahindra Revai may not have been a commercial success, but it was a milestone in India’s electric car journey. It showed that India has the potential and the talent to create world-class EVs that can compete with global players. Mahindra Revai deserves to be remembered as India’s pioneer in electric cars.
