Shiela-Dixit-in-e-Spark

It may be recalled that Karl Slym, president and managing director, GM India had earlier said, “We are pleased to join hands with REVA to bring affordable small car platform based electric vehicles to the market in line with government objectives to reduce fossil fuel dependence. GM’s ability to develop platforms and Reva’s capability in developing electric drive-trains and control systems will result in, the consumer having a wider choice of EVs. We are going to be working closely with the Central and State Governments in India to develop infrastructure for electric vehicle charging and providing specific financial benefits to consumers, who make the choice to adopt an environment-friendly mode of personal transport.” Slym said that in India, GM will launch the e-Spark in the fourth quarter of 2010. The prototype is being tested and the cars will be produced at the Talegaon plant.

The company expects to sell around 5,000 units of the e-Spark in the first year, he said. Elaborating on the role of each of the two joint venture partners, he said, “Reva will make and supply the power cube, while we will engineer and manufacture the car.” The company is looking at 90 per cent localisation for the product. While the on-road cost of the car is still being worked out, Slym said, “Around 40 per cent of the total cost could be the battery cost. We are working on an agnostic system that can use different batteries – either a cheaper lead-acid one or the more expensive lithium ion type. Our vision is to give the customer the option of choosing the type of battery.”

Incidentally, P. Balendran, director and vice president corporate affairs, GM India, was quoted as saying to Business Standard, “We are in talks with leading vendors here and a formal agreement is likely to be signed in June this year for sourcing lead acid batteries.” He added that the company planned to source the lithium ion batteries for the e-Spark also from Indian vendors. “These batteries are currently imported, as there is no manufacturer here. But, vendors have agreed to develop lithium ion batteries, too, in the long run.” When BS queried whether the lithium ion battery would be imported for the scheduled launch in October, Balendran said there was enough time to work on that. “We can work out a suitable sourcing contract for the lithium ion batteries as well,” he added.

Chetan Maini, deputy chairman and CTO, Reva Electric Car Company had also told reporters earlier, “This unique collaboration symbolizes a global trendsetter for partnerships that will result in far reaching changes in the industry. Each of the partners will use its strengths, with the aim of making India a global hub for the development and manufacture of electric vehicles and related technologies. I am extremely happy that we have found a partner in GM India that shares our passion for reducing carbon emissions.”

However, for the export market, GMI will sell complete electric Spark cars in those countries where the Spark is not manufactured locally. But in countries where the Spark is manufactured, the Reva-General Motors joint venture will sell electric car kits to GM entities.

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