Future watch: Mahindra and Reva cars may get solar power in the years to come!

Solar energy is one area that remains untapped in automobiles although cars, at least in tropical countries such as India, spend much of their time soaking in the tropical sun. The Reva, being India’s first commercially produced electric car has had its memorable moments in the sun too and with automotive behemoth taking over the Bangalore based firm, the future looks quite bright in the field of alternate propulsion technologies.

2012 Reva NXR Electric Car

One such propulsion technology is solar power and Mahindra is betting big on this renewable energy resource through Mahindra Solar One, its solar energy technology division. This firm is said to be developing a form of solar propulsion technology, that could power the Revas of the future. A Reva car using solar power in some form or another could become reality in the next two years. Mahindra is evaluating hybrid propulsion options as solar energy might not be available throughout the year.

Therefore, mating solar technology to electric or diesel power in a hybrid combination would mean that the Reva hybrid car of the future can have the best of both worlds. Coming to the wider implications of this recent development, future Mahindra cars also could use the technology that Mahindra Solar One is developing primarily for the Reva. So, the possibilities are endless if solar power can be harnessed in a cost effective manner.

2012 Reva NXR Electric Car

Meanwhile, here is comment on this matter from Vish Palekar, business head (Cleantech Ventures) of Mahindra Partners,

We are working on options of how solar can be deployed in automotives. It is in an early stage but we see that as something that will clearly evolve in the future. We look at this (solar) as a potential for hybridisation of cars like Reva. We see solar as a technology that will be deployed for sure. How, when and how it will be balanced against other hybrid options, I think that’s for M&M’s automotive division to take it up. We are there to support them.

Via BusinessStandard

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November 29, 2011 | By Jay Prashanth · Tags:

Comments

One Response to “Future watch: Mahindra and Reva cars may get solar power in the years to come!”

alvinmarkel on April 30th, 2012 4:35 pm

Making use of renewable solar energy for powering the Reva EV is definitely a great thought, and all eco-friendly car enthusiasts have been eagerly awaiting for its launch.

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