RESEARCH ON HYBRID CARS-REVA

7/30/2019 RESEARCH ON HYBRID CARS-REVA

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NAME OF THE CANDIDATE

ABHINAV KUMAR ROYEmail id: [email protected]

COURSE:B.TECH(ME)

SECTION :A

ROLL NO. A4
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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CONTENTS

Page no.

Introduction 3 Discussion . 4 Technologies used in Reva ... 5

Efficient electric motor Impressive power pack Master controller Powerful charger Brain of Reva

How environmental friendly are Reva . 6 Manufacture Air-pollution Co2 emission through electricity usage Environmental impact of batteries Development of Reva project Recent developments

Government subsidy . 8 Conclusion . 9 Bibliography .. 10


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INTRODUCTION When we refer to innovation it simply means creation of better or more effective products,

processes, technologies, or ideas that are accepted by markets, governments, and society.

Innovation differs from invention in that innovation refers to the use of a new idea or method.

But in business and economics this term refers more than just new Idea here Innovation is

something which adds catalyst of growth in Industry and revolutionize modern way living

and thinking of common people. This is what actually RECC did when they launched their

fully electric, zero-emission, environment friendly Car Reva . It took seven years of hard

work and intensive research and development to launch India's first electric vehicle on May

11th 2001.

Long before "green" cars became a well understood concept in India and before government

policies started focusing on environmental concerns due to car emissions, a tiny, boxy, and

unique looking two-seater electric car began rolling out of a small factory belonging to the

Reva Electric-Car Company in Bangalore.

The company was set up in 1994 as a result of a joint venture between the home-grown Maini

Group and AEV of the United States. The Reva was the brainchild of Chetan Maini, a scion

of the Maini Group, who championed the car at a time when scepticism was widespread

about the viability of electric vehicles in the country. The Reva is lovingly named after his

wife.

In his article on Reva by Michael Boxwell he clearly outlines environmental impact of the

petrol, gas and diesel based transportation which has led to renewed interest in electric

transportation. Article further explains how Electric vehicles differ from these transports in

the way that the electricity they consume can be generated from a wide range of sources,

including fossil fuels, nuclear power, and renewable sources such as tidal power, solar power,

and wind power or combination of any of these. Further in article he shows how these

Vehicles makes use of engines working on the principle of combustion and can usually only

derive their energy from single source usually non-renewable fossil fuels. Reva is developed

with keeping all these things in consideration. Another key advantage of Reva is regenerative

braking and suspension that is their ability to recover energy normally lost during braking as

electricity to be restored to the on-board battery.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Product_(business)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procedure_(term)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technologieshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ideahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markethttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governmenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Societyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inventionhttp://www.carazoo.com/article/0906200802http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_powerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renewable_energyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tidal_powerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_powerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_powerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internal_combustion_enginehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regenerative_brakinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regenerative_brakinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regenerative_brakinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regenerative_brakinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internal_combustion_enginehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_powerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_powerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tidal_powerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renewable_energyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_powerhttp://www.carazoo.com/article/0906200802http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inventionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Societyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governmenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markethttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ideahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technologieshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procedure_(term)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Product_(business)


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DISCUSSIONReva is Indias first and only electric car and also the worlds first commercially mass -

produced electric car. It is designed with intelligence and creativity for low-speed andcongested driving conditions. On roads, the car delivers a unique and mature expression

radiated by the excellent design and advanced technologies. The Reva is no less than a

revolution in city mobility.

It is a fully automatic, two-door car that can easily accommodate two adults and two children.

This article by Michael Boxwell shows the advantages of owning this Eco-friendly car. It

clearly mentions how Reva is way ahead than other cars in terms of design and technology. It

runs on batteries and has an on-board charger to facilitate easy charging at home or at work place. In case of any fluctuation in voltage the on-board charger ensures the safety of the car.

It is also believed that the Reva is twice as efficient as petrol cars and offers a running cost of

about 40 paise/km. The low operating cost of the car is extremely commendable and worth

appreciation. This is what exactly makes the car a global hit.

Sudarshan Maini formed Reva in 1995 to manufacture environmentally friendly, cost

effective electric cars. Designed in a small Bangalore based firm, the car was developed and

tested in Reva advanced auto mobile laboratories. It was launched in India in May 2001.The

car is designed as a nimble, no-frills electric vehicle for non-polluting urban travel. It can

carry two adults and two small children and is designed for inner city use, where performance

and long-distance driving is not a major requirement. Reva collaborated with many foreign

firms to increase its sale.

The Reva electric car (sold under the name G -Wiz in the UK) is one of the most successful

electric cars in the world. They are sold in many countries across the world including India,

United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Spain and many other.

Electric cars also receive free car parking in many Central London car parks and an

infrastructure of electric charging points is in place, making it easy to own or use electric car

there. These methods are now adopted by many countries to support eco-friendly

environment. Indian government is even giving subsidy on green vehicles like Reva to

support the company,s cause against environment.


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TECHNOLOGIES USED IN REVA:

Efficient Electric Motor:

Electric motor is the prime drivetrain of the car. When compared to conventional engines, it

is believed that the motor is much more efficient and cost-effective especially when it comes

to city driving.

When the motor is in use it transforms the energy stored in the power house of the car into

kinetic energy and moves the car wheels. The power from the high torque motor is delivered

to the wheels through the trans-axle and this in turn propels the car. The energy that is

released while braking is regenerated to recharge the power house of the car or the Power

Pack. The electronic regenerative braking ensures high level of reliability and safety.

Impressive Power Pack:

Power Pack is another great innovation in the Made in India electric car Reva. This is an

advanced system that comprises eight 6-Volt lead Batteries, 15 ampere socket so that you

could charge it at any place whether at home, office, or any other place. In full charge

condition, the Reva delivers top speed by consuming only 9 to 10 units of electricity. The

batteries fitted in the Power Pack have the power of attaining 80% state of charge in less than

2.5 hours.

Master Controller :

Master Controller of the Reva is the innovative and advanced computerized Motor

Controller. This controller actually regulates the energy flow between the Power Pack and the

electric motor. When the driver applies pressure on the accelerator, the controller reads the

amount of pressure applied and in accordance regulates the flow of energy transferring from

the Power Pack to the Motor. This actually plays a critical role in ensuring perfect speed

control and optimum use of energy irrespective of the directions.Powerful Charger :

Reva is equipped with an on-board charger to ensure safety of its passenger in case of any

voltage fluctuation. The main function of the on-board charger is to convert AC into DC

power and this DC power is further used to charge the Power Pack.

The working and efficiency of the on-board charger is mainly controlled by the computer unit

installed in the car along with an in-built stabilizer and auto shut-off mechanism. The smart
http://www.carazoo.com/article/1404200901/Science-and-Technology-of-Electric-Carshttp://www.carazoo.com/article/1404200901/Science-and-Technology-of-Electric-Cars


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charger output is smartly connected to the Power Pack in a way that it ensures optimum

current and voltage at all times.

Brain of Reva:

The actual technology that drives the Reva and makes the car a global hit is the Energy

Management System (EMS). This advanced technology is believed to be the brain of Reva.

It is a computer based system that helps to optimize charging and energ y output of cars

batteries. This in turn ensures improved performance and optimized operating range. The

system computes the state of charge and displays the information to the driver through a fuel

gauge.

The EMS performs five key functions in the Reva that directly improves performance and

reduces the running cost. The key functions of the EMS include estimation of state of charge,

diagnosis of vehicle, verification of battery warranty, and vehicle data acquisition.

HOW ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY ARE REVA:

Manufacture

Revas are built in a modern factory unit in Bangalore, India and every effort is made

to keep the carbon cost of manufacture and distribution to a minimum. It,s plant in Bangalore

is LEED(leadership in energy and environment design) accredited.

Air Pollution

Thousands of people die each year through polluted air. In Delhi alone, it is estimated that

one thousand people die needlessly each year because of air pollution. Reva, as an electric

car, is pollution-free at the point of use and therefore reduces the amount of pollution in the

atmosphere in our towns and cities.

CO2 emissions through electricity usage

With regards to electric use, Revas are still considerably more efficient as compare to cars

with internal combustion engines.On average, 524g of CO2 is generated for every kilowatt of

electricity generated in the UK. Based on official figures from Reva, this equates to an

equivalent to 63g of CO2 per kilometre.

Environmental Impact of Batteries

The batteries used in the Reva are lead acid cells. Thanks to EU mandates, recycling


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off lead acid batteries is compulsory and new lead acid batteries are typically now

made from 100% recycled materials recovered from old batteries.

Thanks to the high value of scrap batteries (currently 300/tonne) there are significant

financial advantages to the owners to ensure their batteries are recycled. EU figures

suggest that close to 100% of discarded lead acid batteries are now being recycled and

reused to make new lead acid batteries.

DEVELOPMENT OF REVA PROJECT:

Reva initially joined up with several automotive experts to develop its components. It

collaborated with Curtis Instruments Inc. of USA to develop a Motor Controller specifically

for the car. The car had a high-tech power pack for which for which Reva has tied up with

Tudor India Limited which supplies customized lithium-ion batteries. The Charger for Reva

was developed by Modular Power Systems of USA (a division of TDI). Later, Reva electric

car corporation started manufacturing the charger themselves through a technical

collaboration agreement between MPS and the Maini Group. Later on Mahindra bought a 55.2% stake in Reva. Following the deal, India's largest sports

utility vehicles and tractor maker Mahindra & company was renamed Mahindra Reva Electric

Vehicles Private Limited.Mahindras president of automotive business, Pawan Goenka, became the new companys chairman.

FUTURE OF REVA:

Electric cars have gained great popularity over the past few years and are widely regarded as

the cars of the future. However, a few drawbacks of electric cars are yet to be overcome and

Hybrid cars (which are a mix of electric powertrain and fuel engine) are current favourites.

As such, The RECC (Reva Electric Car Company) is planning to introduce a hybrid version

of the REVA which will combine the battery power plant of the car with and engine using

fuel.

The company has also unveiled another possibility - the REVA NXG concept car. It delivers

a range of 200 km on full charge and a top speed of 120 km/h. This future technology is more

advanced and capable and uses new battery technology. It also comes with the option of
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internet connectivity and touchscreen displays for instrumentation, navigation, and GPS

systems.

Fuel cell techn ology for the REVA is also being researched and the cars fuel cell prototype

was unveiled a few years ago. Though the project is currently in its infant stage, themanufacturers of REVA established themselves as the first company in India to develop fuel

cell technology.

The Frankfurt Motor Show also saw the unveiling of a REVA, s another model known as the

NXG. Production is scheduled for 2013. The NXG will also feature REVA's patented drive-

train technology and the REVive system. The two-seater sports car is expected to stand out

for performance and speed.

GOVERNMENT SUBSIDITY:

The REVA is currently the only completely eco-friendly car in India and is in tune with the

Governments stricter air pollution policies in major cities and green policies promoting clean

energy vehicles. Various measures have already been taken to address this concern such as

the prohibition of conventional vehicles in certain areas of cities and the imposing high entry

tax on polluting vehicles.

Last year, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit launched the REVA in the capital city and

announced a 29.5% cumulative discount on the car to encourage its purchase. The REVA is

promoted and offered to the people as a pocket -friendly drive to ensure a pollution-free

environment. The State Environment Department has already bought two top -end variants of

REVA, one of which is being used by Sheila Dikshit herself.
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CONCLUSION

In this article by Boxwell he had explained how it is a major step for an automobile to no

longer emit exhaust gases. In fact, it is nearly inconceivable. That's why consumers will lovezero-emission vehicles. They may not be driving a solar-powered car, but they will be

helping the sun to once more shine through clear skies.

Many other features which make Reva unique are its body components and suspension which

receives good support as they are uniquely crafted with a lightweight tubular steel space

frame. Lightweight dent- proof ABS plastic panels make up the cars body. Large doors and a

large crush zone have been incorporated into the design to ensure passenger safety and the

position of the battery pack keeps the centre of gravity low.

With no clutch and no gears, the fully automatic two-door hatchback provides hassle-free

drive. A tiny turning radius of 3.5 meters makes it easy to manoeuvre and park. Also the

maintenance of this electric car is very easy. It takes less than seven hours to fully charge the

battery (which consumes only 9 units of electricity) and gives a driving range of 80 km on

full charge. The operating cost is just 40 paise/km. Maintenance costs are low as the car

comes with minimal moving parts and troubleshooting it is easy with its on-board computers

for energy management and data acquisition for quick diagnosis. Other things which makes it

unique is its killing features such as Climate Control Seats and remote-controlled AC make

the REVA unique in the hatchback segment.

Looking at the great popularity which the electric cars have gained in over the past few years

they are widely regarded as the cars of the future. However article doesnt mention a few

drawbacks of electric cars are yet to be overcome and Hybrid cars (which are a mix of

electric powertrain and fuel engine) are current favourites. As such, The RECC (Reva

Electric Car Company) is planning to introduce a hybrid version of the REVA which will

combine the battery power plant of the car with and engine using fuel.

Fuel cell technology for the Reva is also being researched and the cars fuel cell prototype

was unveiled a few years ago. Though the project is currently in its infant stage, the

manufacturers of REVA established themselves as the first company in India to develop fuel

cell technology.


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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Prabhudev,Suman. "Reva in making." Editors pick

5 August2011, 6 November 2011

Boxwell,Michael." an arm of Mahindra & Mahindra" Techpro auto,s.

< http://www.Reva.com/new/Reva/Reva-News.html >.4 April 2010, 11 November

2011
http://www.reva.com/new/Reva/Reva-News.htmlhttp://www.reva.com/new/Reva/Reva-News.html

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RESEARCH ON HYBRID CARS-REVA