Following the popularity of the electric bikes (e-bikes) in the market, several companies have now started research and development on small electric cars (e-cars). One of them is the Ajanta Group at Morbi in Rajkot, which has now launched the demo model of its small e-car under the brand name of 'Oreva' at a showroom in Rajkot.

The Ajanta Group, which mainly manufactures clocks and several household electronic gadgets under the Orpat brand name, started work on the research and development of small electric cars last year. The only e-car available in the market at present is the Reva, but the company plans to compete directly with Tata's Nano. The non-AC demo e-car, manufactured at the company's Samakhiyali unit in Kutch district, where the Oreva e-bike is also made, is likely to be priced between Rs 85,000 and Rs 1,00,000.

Yogesh Tank, owner of the Oreva Auto showroom in Rajkot, said: "Our e-car is in direct competition with Tata's Nano, but nothing is final on its launch. We might launch it before Nano or maybe later."

He added: "People were amazed to see the e-car when it was put on display at the company's showroom. People came to inquire about the car and also about the booking, but we had to tell them that nothing has been finalised."

Tank said the R&D on the air-conditioner is in progress, and with the AC version, the price is bound to shoot up.

Rakesh Nathwani, National marketing head, Oreva e-bike, told Newsline: "We have just manufactured a demo car. The R & D work is still on. We have not set up any manufacturing plant for the vehicle."