[Thebugdoc]

When I decided to transition to electric cars, despite being a vintage enthusiast and petrolhead, it became a necessity due to my wife's remote posting in Kerala. Initially considering larger automatic cars like the Accord, her interest led us to the quirky G-Wiz, an Indian EV called the REVA.

Concerns about parts, service, range, and more crossed my mind, but as a vintage enthusiast, I felt equipped to handle potential issues. After scouting, I opted for the REVAi with air conditioning, despite my initial hesitations about EVs.

The purchase had its challenges: a dead battery in one option and a long search. Finally, I found a dealer offering two 2011 REVAis. After negotiation, I paid 1 lakh for the car, transport, and paperwork.

First look at pictures of the REVAi from delivery to the drive home:










First wash:




Upon receiving the car, issues surfaced: bad handling, a dirty interior, and technical problems. An EV specialist diagnosed and temporarily fixed the battery fan issue. However, he proposed extensive repairs, creating skepticism about potential overcharging.

Desperate, I sought help from my regular mechanic for vintage cars, and what began as a look turned into a comprehensive rebuild. We disassembled the car, replaced worn-out components, and sourced parts from a Bangalore dealer. The instability issue was traced back to a worn-out center bush, causing rear subframe movement.

Front end stripped to pull out the steering and front suspension assembly:






Bumpers received after fibering to close off the cracks:


Preventive maintenance included changing brake cylinders, pads, and bearings. The challenging part involved finding the right-sized center arm bush, which required adjustments and precision machining:








The bushings all changed:










Some detailing:


Finally an error-free cluster:


Dad drives the REVAi for the first time and likes all the attention:


REVAi shares the garage with my beetle and 90-year-old Morris 8 Series one:


Where it all began and where it is in terms of EV technology:


Wifey driving her REVAi:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=VYPmd3aF88Y

Despite the setbacks and the original EV specialist's unfulfilled promises, the car underwent a successful rebuild, showcasing the resilience and adaptability of EVs in the hands of a committed enthusiast.

[justin.das]

Originally Posted by Thebugdoc

When I decided to transition to electric cars, despite being a vintage enthusiast and petrolhead, it became a necessity due to my wife's remote posting in Kerala. Initially considering larger automatic cars like the Accord, her interest led us to the quirky G-Wiz, an Indian EV called the REVA.
.

You will remain an example of the statement petrolheads can love EVs .Brilliant effort brother, would love to take it for a spin when i visit you next time .

[Thebugdoc]

Thank you for your kind words.

While my mind resisted getting an EV, this particular one feels akin to restoring an old car—it serves its purpose. I'll update soon with details on its range, charging times, and maintenance costs.

[swarnava.ch]

Originally Posted by Thebugdoc

Where it all began and where it is in terms of EV technology:

Dear Thebugdoc, loved reading your post and specially your passion in restoring the car back to the old self. Its a cute little car and it will always bring a smile to your face. Money well spent. I am drooling over the other two beauties in your garage as well. Keep Revving.

[travelling owl]

Nice rework! IMHO, 1L for a Reva is quite expensive. The later generation of Reva E2O are available for around 80k in the market. Plus you will need to replace the battery, which will be another 1L minimum.

[Thebugdoc]

Originally Posted by travelling owl

Nice rework! IMHO, 1L for a Reva is quite expensive. The later generation of Reva E2O are available for around 80k in the market. Plus you will need to replace the battery, which will be another 1L minimum.

I appreciate your input. I've been searching for an affordable EV, particularly the e20, but haven't come across any priced below 80k. Most listings I've found hover around 2.5 lakhs, and considering the potential battery replacement cost of 3 lakhs, it's a bit beyond my budget. Moreover, the e20 seems larger and more conventional compared to the compact car I was hoping for. Fortunately, the Reva I acquired already had its battery replaced a year ago by the previous owner, ensuring its reliability for another four years. 😊
Indeed, it seems the demand for second-gen Reva models, like mine with regen and air conditioning, has surged, possibly influenced by the escalating petrol prices. I've noticed that even these models are not readily available for less than a lakh.

Originally Posted by swarnava.ch

Dear Thebugdoc, loved reading your post and specially your passion in restoring the car back to the old self. Its a cute little car and it will always bring a smile to your face. Money well spent. I am drooling over the other two beauties in your garage as well. Keep Revving.

Thank you so much for your kind words! Restoring the car to its former charm has been a true labor of love. I'm delighted to know that the little car brings a smile, and your appreciation makes the investment feel worthwhile. I'm glad you also noticed the other beauties in the garage – they all contribute to the joy of the collection.
It's understandable that some might be surprised to see an EV alongside vintage cars and a superbike, but I'm thrilled to hear your appreciation for the coexistence

[subie_socal]

Hats off to your dedication and effort to bring an important feats of Indian automotive industry, back into shape .

How were you able to source the replacement parts?

[SidTheChamp]

I love Reva. Back in 2005-2010, when I was in Bangalore, this was the only electric car I used to see Reva around in neighbourhood and on roads. Being a Bangalore based brand, I didn't see it any other city.
These days of course it's nowhere but in those days, Reva was the one EV in BLR.

A small cute car which used to draw attention everywhere. I believe you have the same fondness that's why you decided to revive a Reva.

[SS-Traveller]

Originally Posted by Thebugdoc

...the quirky G-Wiz, an Indian EV called the REVA.

Great to see your enthusiasm in acquiring and rebuilding a REVA. Not many would invest even minimally to buy one of these in most cities, but I did (Pre-owned Mahindra E2O Plus P6 | Our baby steps to EV adoption | Ownership Review). Found the right people to take care of it at low cost, too, as you can see in my thread. The downside of owning an EV is that it is somewhat of a 'black box' that needs proprietary software to sort out the electronic glitches, unlike ICE cars which are more amenable to being fixed by most experienced & intelligent mechanics.

[Thebugdoc]

Originally Posted by SS-Traveller

Great to see your enthusiasm in acquiring and rebuilding a REVA. Not many would invest even minimally to buy one of these in most cities, but I did (Pre-owned Mahindra E2O Plus P6 | Our baby steps to EV adoption | Ownership Review). Found the right people to take care of it at low cost, too, as you can see in my thread. The downside of owning an EV is that it is somewhat of a 'black box' that needs proprietary software to sort out the electronic glitches, unlike ICE cars which are more amenable to being fixed by most experienced & intelligent mechanics.

It's fantastic that you took the initiative to acquire and rebuild a e20! Your ownership review and finding cost-effective experts to maintain it are valuable insights. The challenge with proprietary software for EVs is indeed a downside, making specialized expertise crucial for addressing electronic glitches. The shift to EVs brings both excitement and unique considerations.
Absolutely, the REVA's simplicity in electronics and the availability of parts in scrapyards can be advantageous for enthusiasts looking to work on their vehicles. This accessibility to components can make maintenance and customization more feasible compared to more complex electric vehicles. It's a notable factor for those interested in hands-on approaches to EV projects.

[Mitadru]

I have a question. Does this car use any of the standardised charging port found in modern day EV's? Can this be charged from any public charging station?
Anyways, kudos to your decision of buying such a car, which has hardly any support from the maker or aftermarket. Wish you happy milestone ahead.

[Nilesh5417]

I really loved reading through your experience. Did you have to do anything to the battery, electricals/ electronics etc? How different was it rebuilding an EV vs the ICE cars?

[Thebugdoc]

Originally Posted by Mitadru

I have a question. Does this car use any of the standardised charging port found in modern day EV's? Can this be charged from any public charging station?
Anyways, kudos to your decision of buying such a car, which has hardly any support from the maker or aftermarket. Wish you happy milestone ahead.

It uses the standard 3 pin socket 15-16 amp from any wall socket ,some vendors like go ec has a wall socket along with other fast charging sockets .
To be frank it wasnt a big deal as I have been restoring my vintage cars with basically no support at all. The Reva is very basic and very easy to work on

Originally Posted by Nilesh5417

I really loved reading through your experience. Did you have to do anything to the battery,
electricals/ electronics etc? How different was it rebuilding an EV vs the ICE cars?

My reva was missing the original battery water filling pipe, it's a unique pipe with an auto stop mechanism, all I did was get the pipe and fill water. I did check the health on 8 batteries and they turned out to be in good condition.
To be frank the basic mechanicals of the Reva is similar to say a maruti800. Almost all parts are shared with maruti esteem and other marutis of the Era. It's a very easy car to work on especially if you have done some DIY on other cars.
Please feel free to send me a message if you need help with anything

[Thebugdoc]

I tried out the public charging system with the Reva, and the KSEB (Kerala State Electricity Board) charging station worked flawlessly. It cost me 20rs for 2.5 hour charging.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=LXQ9M8slX...C0PGHBV8d4_8qd

[Passatman]

Hey, that's one cute car! I have a red one ( pic attached) which was bought for my wife and now idling away since she's not around. I am tempted to attempt a DIY refurbish as the car has been idle since 4 years.
The batteries would need replacement I guess . The AC worked the last time I checked. I had some issues about the charger not cutting off, but I never could get the Reva mech during the lock down to get this rectified.
If I need help can I knock at your door? Would lead acid batteries be better vs the new lithium polymer ones ?