CHETAN MAINI

Story
Born in Bangalore, was crazy about all kinds of electronics
Schooled at Bishop Cottons, Bangalore
Father, Sudharshan Maini recognized his passion and gave him all the support
Snubbed IIT to go to the states (Bachelors - University of Michigan)
Won Inter University competition (1
st
year)
Worked at GM as an intern
3
rd
, World Solar Championship (Australia)
Joined Technar (Dave Bell, s/o Dr. Bell)

Story continued
Masters Stanford University
Returned to Amerigon (Lon Bell)
Cost effective city mobility in India, China, etc
Mainis & Bells started REVA in 1994
REVA A new begiinning
1996 First car shipped to India
1997 Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI)
1999 Moved back to Bangalore
2001 Launched 1
st
electric car in India
2010 Acquired by Mahindra & Mahindra

OPPORTUNITIES
Family recognized passion & gave all support
Cost effective city mobility in India, China, etc
Increasing pollution levels
Subsidy for electric vehicles
Then niche market
Support of banks (15 Cr)
Leaders Quest
Free parking & charging in UK
Higher margins in exports
IMPACT
Reduced pollution
Brought electric cars to India
Reduced traffic
Mixed customers
Environment friendly
Fashion statement
India recognized



OBSTACLES
Travel India & U.S
Working for Amerigon drawing salary
Offers with 2x salary had to be turned down
New entrants due to market potential
Oil was cheap at that time
Charger failure
Mass hiring
R&D issues (inexperience)
Taxes doubled for electric cars & reduced for normal
Subsidy withdrawn
Unknown company
London Climate



RISKS
No formal agreement till 1999 (only MOU)
Family investment
Offers turned down
No success example during that time
Spent all time and energy on this
INNOVATION
Superior technology
In house parts
10 patents in energy management
Car with military like specs
Hired ones with passion and trained (inexperience)
Got IITs, IISCs & major companies involved for awareness
Home servicing model On board computers to diagnose
Made independent business units (Chassis, plastics, etc) and gave it out to
VOLVO & Leyland


RECEPTION & CRITICISM
Criticized by Top Gear for being:
Underpowered
Unsafe
Ugly
Quadra cycle (U.K)
Batteries 50K, 2 3 years
High price paid initially but beneficial in the long run
Consumerdaddy.com


THANK YOU