‘Run on Sun’ is the tag line for the just-launched Mahindra Reva e20 hatchback — and they’re not just saying that.

This car comes complete with its own solar energy system.

Auto Solutions, together with Bermuda Engineering Co Ltd (BE) and BE Vehicles Ltd, introduced the Mahindra Reva e20 hatchback to the Bermuda market yesterday, at the Auto Solutions showrooms on St John’s Road.

On the Island for the launch was Chetan Maini, the chief executive officer of Mahindra Reva. He said at yesterday’s official launch: “Racing 3,200 kilometres across Australia on solar energy opened my eyes to what it could do for the future.”

Yesterday, he described the multinational’s philosophy: “We think about mobility, how we can change it with wind and sun as an inspiration — they are infinite sources of energy, and what we can do with that.”

Mr Maini said he was inspired by the idea of creating “urban mobility solutions using solar energy”, and it was in 1997 that he launched India’s first electric car, the Reva, and the-then Reva Electric Car Company of Bangalore produced what they called an affordable and eco-friendly urban mobility solution, in India and 27 other countries.

The compact car, which is built in India, takes ‘green’ to a different level. He said: “For three metres by three metres of solar panels, you will have free energy for life.”

Additionally, the e20 is produced in a factory whose environmentally friendly initiatives include putting power back into the grid from the newly built cars’ test runs and a manufacturing plant that uses one third solar energy and is emission free. As well, the newly built cars are charged up with solar energy before leaving the plant.

Practical considerations include that the car’s body panels are non-corrosive, colour impregnated, and dent resistant.

The car gets 100 kilometres under test conditions with one full charge, which takes ten hours from a standard 110v 15 A socket. Direct solar charging is one option, as is charging from the grid. An optional battery back-up is also available. Its top speed is 81 kmph.

There is no engine, gearbox, clutch, or exhaust system and the e20 does not use engine oil or coolant. “Which again means huge savings in maintenance and time,” say the company.

Safety is highlighted, as the makers boast a “unique high strength steel space frame that cocoons you and your family”.

And because the e20 has zero emissions, runs on sun, is compact, easy to drive and park and simple to maintain, and — according to their literature — affordable at $22,995, the manufacturers think this car is right for island dwellers, and so have launched it for that market in Bermuda.

Mahindra Reva say there are five ‘C’ reasons that the e20 is a ‘perfect island car’. The car is clean: “born green, with zero emissions and solar charged”; ‘clever’ with intelligent energy management, interactive driver information and regenerative braking. It is ‘connected’ with remote diagnostics, smart phone application and REVive activation. It is also ‘convenient’ with automatic transmission, hill hold and GPS navigation. Finally it is ‘cost effective’ with low running costs, low maintenance and low repair costs.

The e20 is not just green — it’s also intelligent. It is described as ‘smarter than your phone — and probably your computer too.’

Mahindra Reva says: “The intelligent energy management system and 10 on-board computers provide real-time information about the car. The e20 also self diagnoses and sends mobile alerts in cases of faults or service issues. Its versatile infotainment system offers a host of media options, a complete navigation system and even plans trips for you.”

In addition, you can use your smart phone to lock or unlock your car, to plan your trip, check the charging status of your car, and switch on the air conditioning or the heat, and more. A smart phone application also helps with diagnosing any problems, and finds fixes.

“And the best part is that every e20 is connected to a central computer,” explaining this enables everyday maintenance checks.

For more information, contact Auto Solutions at 295-5000 or info@autosolutions.bm.