RECC has launched the new Reva-I. The main difference with the old model is that Reva-i is driven by an AC motor compared to its earlier sibling, which had DC motor. Among the advantages of having an AC motor is that is has very less maintenance compared to a DC motor. Since electronics to control AC motor are becoming
better, so traction is not a problem. Yes there can be so extra conversion loss within the system since the cycle is AC-> DC -> controlled 3 phase AC.(whereas in the old model it was ac -> DC -> controlled DC). Over all brush losses are also eliminated, with is a major energy loss in the DC motor.
With the on-road price of a standard Reva-i almost 3.5 lakh, shall be the main cause of concern for the buyer. Wish the price can be brought down with some strategic measures.
With a new set of advanced batteries the expected mileage is 95 kms, even though the battery healthy condition is monitored only from 4 batteries out of 8. The total weight of the car has been reduced from 745 kgs to 680 kgs. This adds to the total mileage of the car. With all these I am quite sure that the mileage shall catch up to a ton.
The front dashboard and the panel looks much richer that the old one. The electronic mileage counter and two trip meters shall be really help. I wish the battery low indication came with an audio chime too. The rear hatch with the defroster shall be really very helpful during the humid and/or rainy conditions. The front glass has been finally changed to a parabolic one. This gives more space in the front, more aero dynamism, better look to the car. Cost is the main factor if RECC can do something about.
Automatic hill holding shall be a superb feature, no other car in India has that. Speed limit to 80 shall look good for some too.