Reva to launch advanced battery technology for new electric car

Indian electric carmaker Reva Electric Car Co. announced that it will launch a new model powered by advanced battery technology in May and will set up its second manufacturing plant in India within the year. The new battery used in its upcoming model will “allow consumers to recharge within an hour,” Reva Deputy Chairman and Chief Technical Officer Chetan Kumaar Maini said. “We will add another factory to the existing one in Bangalore with an installed capacity of 30,000 vehicles,” he said. The company plans to sell 1,000 electric vehicles by the end of the first quarter and aims to sell 4,000 units in the next fiscal year, half of which will be exported. According to Maini, the company has tied up with Reliance Digital, the consumer durables and information technology arm of Reliance Retail, to sell vehicles through the Reliance network. Reva also has plans to introduce solar-powered electric vehicles by the end of 2009. (February 5, 2009)