M&M all charged up with next-gen Reva

The Mahindra Group’s focus to shape the future of mobility came to the fore on January 6 when it revealed the production-ready prototype of the Reva NXR electric vehicle. The REVAi successor looks much more appealing and will have more variants too. The NXR uses parts from the Mahindra parts bin to keep costs in check. Despite this, making the NXR more appealing has made it a little more expensive. The company expects infrastructure support from the government to source, distribute and charge a range of electric vehicles and subsidy for its EV.

The NXR will be offered with three battery options – small, medium and large – to cater to a variety of driving ranges. There will be two kinds of batteries – lithium ion and lead acid but Mahindra will focus more on lithium ion variants. Engineers responsible for the NXR’s development have also worked on the Verito electric vehicle. The conventional engine has been swapped with a 29KW (39.4bhp) electric motor. The company claims the Verito Electric has a range of 100km on full charge and a top speed of 86kph.

Anand Mahindra, vice-chairman and managing director, Mahindra Group, said: “l firmly believe that Mahindra is on the threshold of shaping the way we will commute in the 21st century. Today, we usher in a new paradigm to bring in products and mobility solutions which will bear testimony to our commitment to a cleaner environment, and lay emphasis on the mobility needs of tomorrow's consumer. "

Speaking at the event, Dr Pawan Goenka, president, Automotive and Farm Sectors, said: “We are already working on integrating a comprehensive eco-system of sustainable mobility solutions, encompassing alternative technologies such as electric, hybrid and fuel cells into our research, development and commercialisation plans.”

However, to support intra-city transportation, India will need new infrastructure to source, distribute, and charge a range of electric vehicles. Integrated with public transportation, this infrastructure will provide seamless congestion-free urban mobility solutions.

Chetan Maini, chief of Strategy and Technology, Mahindra Reva Electric Vehicles, commented: "Electric vehicles will be the real solution to power personal mobility for a sustainable future. We are committed to the accelerated development of new partnerships and business models towards creating a full ecosphere."