Reva recharged

Imagine an electric car that can be recharged instantly by calling or SMSing a 24/7 call centre!

REVA, the Bangalore-based Indian car maker whose electric vehicles (EV) have been on Indian roads for a decade, has just announced the launch of a new generation car at the Frankfurt Auto Show—NXR. REVA has also entered into an agreement with General Motors to develop the EVs.

So, what’s going to be new? The NXR, slated for a 2010 launch, will run on a lead acid battery giving a range of 80 km per charge and a top speed of 80 kmph. The three-door, four-seater hatchback will also have the lowest dust-to-dirt carbon footprints of any car in mass production.

But the best part will be the REVive technology, a feature that addresses “range anxiety” in consumers. If a car runs out of charge, the driver can call or SMS the REVA Customer Support Centre and a remote charge will enable the vehicle to continue driving within a few minutes.