Electric car-maker Mahindra Reva is exploring the possibility of electrifying more vehicles, with at least one expected to be completed by 2014.
“Electrification of more platforms is under way, and the options before us are the Verito (sedan), Maxximo and Gio (mini trucks),” said Chetan Maini, Founder and Chief of Technology and Strategy at Mahindra Reva.
Mahindra Reva, a subsidiary of vehicle manufacturer Mahindra & Mahindra, launched its first electric vehicle e20 earlier this month. The company, however, is not looking at launching any hybrid vehicles as it intends to concentrate only on electric vehicles.
“We are expecting to sell about 400-500 units per month. The initial responses are good,” Maini added.
On Wednesday, Mahindra Reva has partnered with Vodafone Business Services, the enterprise arm of Vodafone India, to power the e20 with machine-to-machine (M2M) technologies. M2M permits wireless and wired systems to interact with each other.
The M2M technology will let owners remotely control their cars. It will give them information on the charge remaining in the battery and how far it can travel, and help them remotely control the air-conditioning and set schedules to pre-heat or pre-cool the car. Locking or unlocking the car doors using a mobile phone and finding the nearest charging stations are other features.