G-Wiz debuts lithium-ion model

Reva's latest G-Wiz i range now features the L-ion power train lithium-ion battery technology

Reva, the Indian electric car manufacturer behind the iconic G-Wiz, yesterday unveiled new lithium-ion battery technology that promises to significantly extend the range of its vehicles, while enabling faster recharge times.

The company said that the new Reva L-ion power train has been incorporated into its latest G-Wiz i model, extending the vehicle's range to 75 miles, an improvement of more than 50 per cent on its previous power trains.

It added that the new technology would be available for pre-order from next month, with the first vehicles delivered by May.

According to research undertaken by the company, the increased range of the new vehicle will extend its appeal to customers living in city suburbs and enable more than 95 per cent of all car journeys to be completed without the need for recharging.

Speaking to BusinessGreen.com, Keith Johston, president of European operations at the company, said the new vehicle would also boast improved reliability, particularly in cold weather conditions.

"Lead acid batteries can see range reduced by as much as a third in cold temperatures of less than five degrees," he explained. "But tests have shown that lithium-ion is significantly less effected by low temperatures."

To accompany the launch of the new model, Reva also unveiled a new fast charging station that is expected to bolster the vehicle's appeal to those corporate customers who require constant access to their vehicles throughout the day.

The new charging unit will be available to buy or lease and is expected to deliver a 90 per cent charge to the lithium ion battery within one hour. In contrast, it takes six hours to charge the battery using ordinary mains electricity.

"The introduction of fast charge stations really opens up the market to reach new customers and increase the availability of EVs," said Chetan Maini, Reva's deputy chairman and chief technology officer. "Local authorities and businesses can now create the charging and parking infrastructure necessary to make zero- emission personal transport an everyday reality."

The company said it was also working on new upgrade kits that would allow existing customers to replace the lead acid power train used in its current models with the new lithium-ion technology. It added that the upgrade facility was expected later this year.