Mahindra e2o: A Homage To the REVAi Electric Car

Mahindra e2o launched in 2013. Before that, the carmaker launched the REVAi back in 2001. Back then electric cars seemed to be like this far-fetched idea from a Sci-Fi movie. The cars didn’t really have an impact, but somewhere people knew it’d make a mark one day.

And so they did. While electric vehicles haven’t made an impact yet on the Indian markets, they surely are reaching for that. But, way before the bigger names saw that Mahindra forayed into the electric vehicle market. It launched the REVAi back in 2001. The time was ripe back then and Indians were, in fact, buying smaller cars.

However, the REVAi was way ahead of its time, it couldn’t make the most out of it. Once again, Mahindra came back with the e2oPlus. Is it a homage to the once running REVAi or a new contender in the EV race?

Let’s look into it.

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About The Car | Mahindra REVAi

The Mahindra REVAi first hit the road in 2001. The electric REVA is sold in more than 26 countries around the globe. Why this car actually matters is because it was the world’s first mass-produced electric car. Mahindra launched the REVA with larger than ever anticipations back then.

Design

On the design front, the Mahindra REVA looked rather awkward. To be completely honest, the car will surely catch your attention but not for good reasons. The REVA looked a tad dinky and small. The car reiterated the notion back then- “electric cars can’t look good”. All in all, it’s design elements made it look more like an auto-rickshaw. Yes, the compact design might come in handy, in small nooks and corners. But, how many people do actually make it their top priority when buying a car?

However, the parts used in making the REVA were rather more sophisticated and ann upgrade from the regular.

Interiors

On the inside, the story gets a bit cramped. No, literally not figuratively. You had headroom but not enough to look around. You had legroom but not enough to stretch your legs. All in all space scarcity was prominent in the REVA inside.

However, when your mind diverted from the cramped space, you did look at the design elements. The designing of the REVA was kept in mind while making it and had a swanky dashboard ahead. It had AC, auto climate control seats and a music system. So, the tries to make it interesting on the inside were evident.

Performance

The engine quality of the REVA was rather good. It produced 53 Nm of torque and was extremely refined and silent. Charging the REVA wasn’t a herculean task. A normal 15 amp was all it needed to juice it up. A full charge of the batteries took 9 full hours.

One full charge gave you 80 km. The car was rear-wheel drive and no gears at all. Its ergonomics allowed the car not to flip on a sharp turn. The heavily weighted battery pack on the rear end ensured a good amount of centre of gravity.

Overall, the car was good for your short rides to the grocery store or the office. However, its speed limitations and size considerations limited its performance.

The Successor | Mahindra e2o

Mahindra launched was launched in India, in 2013. Did Mahindra launch this to fulfil its incomplete dream? Maybe. Did it have improvements over it’s older sibling? Let’s see.

About the Car | Mahindra e2o

The Mahindra e2o was succeeding the Mahindra Reva. It did have big shoes to fill in. Certainly, Mahindra had this in mind and did fulfil all that. But, not completely.

While the car was made to look better and sharper, it did lag at certain places. Mahindra launched this one with higher hopes keeping in mind its future. The e2o has further launched a four-door e2oPlus and an upcoming e2o Nxt.

The e2o had a longer wheelbase which meant more space. Apart from that it also had a plethora of other features which made it worth it.

Design

The car looks taller than its predecessor but still has that quirk element. The taller height means more headroom. So, that was an improvement over the REVA. From the side, the car still carries on that ‘box’ element, which makes the car look mundane and awkward.

What makes the e2o worth it is the quality. Mahindra hasn’t compromised a bit on that. The car is small but heavy. The doors close with a filled metal-like thud.

Interior

The interior is bigger and more spacious. The car’s cabin has that roominess that was missing in the REVA. The instrument cluster in the front looks like the screen of a smartwatch.

The car still lacks enough space. The spare parts and bits look a bit average. However, it contains all the basic specifications you need in a car. The touchscreen infotainment system, smartphone integration, navigation system and climate control system make the interiors worth it.

Performance

The car’s performance has gained a lot. The car has a better range and a more efficient battery under the hood. The electric motor produces 19 kW of peak power at 3500 rpm and 70 Nm of torque.

Moreover, while driving, you don’t rather feel that boxiness. It’s better ergonomics might be the answer to that.

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Conclusion

The Mahindra e2o might just be a successor to the REVA. But it certainly is a lot more for Mahindra. It shows the company’s persistence. Agreed, both the REVA and the e2o didn’t do well in India, but Mahindra didn’t stop.

Yes, launching the same product again with no demand is stupidity. But, Mahindra has been extensively working on, making things better and ensuring the consumers get the best. It is certainly looking at the future with a lot more optimism.

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