GM India has entered into an alliance with REVA in order to produce a range of electric cars for the Indian market. The first electric car to be developed under this new alliance is the Chevy Spark, which GM India is already testing. Since the technology applies to all small cars, GM India is also considering offering an electric Chevy Beat, post its launch in the country.
"GM's ability to develop platforms and REVA's capability in developing electric drivetrains and control systems is set to give customers a wider choice in EV's. It is time to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and going electric is a viable choice to provide environmentally friendly transport," said Karl Slym, President and Managing Director, GM India.
Chetan Maini, Deputy Chairman and CTO, REVA Electric Car Company adds, "This collaboration is about utilizing each other's strengths in order to create a product that is environmentally friendly. It is our ambition to reduce carbon emissions and we are happy to partner with GM India who share our ambitions."
The plan to make the Spark and possibly the Beat electric fit in with GM's global plans of reducing their dependence on fossil fuels. Such vehicles are probable solutions for developing markets and though there is a challenge in infrastructure, GM India as well as REVA intend on speaking to the central as well as state governments in order to help facilitate this development.
The final products are still some time away and further work is being done to make them suitable for in-city use. Details as to the range, battery type and price have not been divulged however it is our best estimate that the electric Chevy small cars will come with a range of 150 km on a single charge using lead acid batteries as lithium ion batteries would seriously increase costs and the vehicles would feature a quick charge mechanism in order to make them more user friendly. REVA will be the technology provider and GM India will take care of manufacturing the product and distribution. Interestingly the vehicles will only carry Chevy branding.
It is an ambitious project and considering the fact that electric cars in India are just at a nascent stage, despite REVA having been around for over a decade, it remains to be seen how well the products are accepted. As far as the thought behind the entire project is concerned, GM India and REVA deserve an applaud for their initiative to go green in a big way.
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