Maini Reva [2003-2008] User Reviews

Exterior Acceptable, good.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort)

Lousy handbrake - why could they not at least copy the hand brake system used by all- the existing one is very very haphazard and requires effort to pull up (stop while parking/at red light signal) = this must be replaced with standard type of handbrake

Placement of accelerator/breake pedals a bit Un-ergonomic - causes stress to thighs/knees. When driving for more than 30/40 minutes. Compare to systems in maruti,santro etc. its created by inexperienced drivers to say the least.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox For first 2 years fantastic! BUT in the 3rd year battery drops to below 60% of usability (chargeability as well) and range progressively drops to near 5/10% within 6 months after the 2nd year. Promised battery life is 5 years - whereas actually it delivers less than2.5 yrs. This makes actual cost of driving more than 4 to 5 rs. per KM WITHOUT CONSIDERING COST OF CHARGING one would expect m/s Maini reva to provide some kind of discount for replacement of battery pack but no they are selling it at astronomical figure of rs. 1,00,000 (one lakh ) plus fitting charges as noted from local service station in mumbai . !! 

ADD TO IT - no availability of Lithium Ion pack in India ( as confirmed by tech.sales deptt. at

Bangalore , where it is made) while it is upgradeable in UK,Europe etc.  and there are reviews from actual users there that they are successfully using lithium ion etc. - chk www.revaclub.com) This is a serious and senseless shortcoming from those selling REVAi in 

India.  Lithium Ion pack is the only thing that would make electric drive viable in India - as they last upto  4/5 times more than the Lead Acid equivalent. 

Ride Quality & Handling  Average but lenth of car from bonnet to hatch(rear) would have been sligthly more by 1 feet - that would make riding at higher speeds more safer.

Elsewhere - the electric car batteries ( in golf carts, supplied by trojan - there is feedback about lead acid batteries lasting almost upto 5 years , but in REVAi - it is not so.).

Areas of improvement

Battery pack increased to 10 nos of 200ah , 12v lead acid packs instead of 8 nos at current so range wud last upto 100 kms/around.

Battery life saver ( BLS megapulse.net, etc. available internationally) units must be installed with new battery packs so that battery life on average is 4 to 6 years instead of 2 to 3 years max.

Lithium Ion packs must be given at EMIs/ Rental basis to customers for all existing models

AC units must be made more robust

Suspension must be at least on par with cars costing around 3 to 5 lakhs in todays market, suspension of REVAi is very rigid and bumpy - likely to damage your back in 90% of indian roads.

VRL voltage load regulator must have user removable fuse near charging point - I ended up paying 5,000 for damaged module during normal voltage fluctuations in THANE - indicator of low/high voltage near dash board a must for charging anywhere safely.

If above shortcomings are addressed by M/s Mahindra Reva - then it would be worth buying electric car in india -else - stick to petrol with CNG kits - they give u total cost of rs. 4 per km ( all in clusive, fuel, servivicing engine oil/other replacement ( whereas Electric car cost over rs.5 for just battery pack replacement in 2/3 years AND cost of charging of 10 units for driving max of 70/80km.).