The first REVA prototype was ready in mid 1996, after which it was tested extensively at the Automobile Research Association of India (ARAI), Pune, for homologation and was certified for road-worthiness. The REVA prototypes have further undergone extensive road testing in USA and India successfully.

With the support of the MNES (Ministry of Non Conventional Energy Sources) RECC carried out intensive Vehicle Testing on Reva Pre-Production Models. 40 Pre-Production Model Reva's were tested for over one million kilometers equivalent to driving around the Globe 25 times.

To understand the effect of harsh road conditions on its structural integrity Reva was put through the unique Shaker test, which it has completed successfully at the ARAI, Pune. During this test Reva was mounted on 4 posts which were moved independently simulating various road conditions over a cycle of 2,00,000 Kilometers.

Considering unique road conditions coupled with high summer heat, humidity, monsoons and major fluctuations in supply voltage, REVA was tested on Indian roads in actual conditions.  

Since EV’s have a limited driving range, non-accelerated endurance testing is often time consuming. To overcome this problem, a unique automated system with a tethered vehicle was developed. The vehicle is driven unmanned on a test track with power supplied to it via a cable. The entire test operation is computer controlled and runs 24 hours a day on a varying speed profile. The track includes bumps, potholes and a water trough with 45 centimeters of water.

In addition to this some further test were conducted on individual components like power pack, battery's suspension transmission etc to ensure a high component reliability