LOS ANGELES - Toyota
Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. revealed the highly anticipated all-new Toyota
RAV4 EV at the 26th annual Electric Vehicle Symposium in Los Angeles.
This all-electric SUV has an expected driving range rating of
approximately 100 miles and charging time of approximately six hours on
a 240V/40A charger. The RAV4 EV’s driving performance, dynamics and
cargo capacity are equal to or exceed the gas powered RAV4 V6. Arriving
fully-equipped with an MSRP of $49,800 the RAV4 EV doesn’t compromise on
performance, comfort or versatility.
“It’s all about
blending the best of two worlds,” said Bob Carter, group vice president
and general manager of the Toyota division. “The all-new RAV4 EV marries
the efficiency of an EV with the versatility of a small SUV – in fact,
it is the only all-electric SUV on the market.”
The RAV4 EV is the product of a unique
collaboration with Tesla Motors spurred by Akio Toyoda, president and
CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation. Twenty-two months after the project
announcement, Toyota and Tesla engineers have succeeded in bringing an
outstanding product to market in record time.
The RAV4 EV combines a Tesla designed and
produced battery and electric powertrain with Toyota’s most popular SUV
model. The collaborative team set its sights on refining the customer
experience. From advanced charging options to interior comfort to
interactive displays, the vehicle has been designed for customer ease of
use and maximum vehicle range.
The front wheel drive RAV4 EV allows
drivers to select from two distinctly different drive modes, Sport and
Normal. In Sport mode, the vehicle reaches 0-60 mph in just 7.0 seconds
and has a maximum speed of 100 mph. Normal mode achieves 0-60 mph in 8.6
seconds with a maximum speed of 85 mph. Maximum output from the electric
powertrain is 154 HP (115kW) @ 2,800 rpm.
RAV4 EV offers an exceptionally smooth,
quiet ride and comfortable handling due in part to its low coefficient
of drag and low center of gravity. In fact, at 0.30 Cd, RAV4 EV achieves
the lowest coefficient of drag of any SUV in the world. Compared with
the gas powered RAV4, Toyota re-styled the front bumper, upper and lower
grill, side mirrors, rear spoiler, and under body design to maximize air
flow around the vehicle. The RAV4 EV’s battery pack is mounted low and
to the center of the vehicle, contributing to a more sedan-like ride.
The RAV4 EV will go on sale in late summer
2012 through select dealers, initially in four major California
metropolitan markets including Sacramento, San Francisco Bay Area, Los
Angeles/Orange County and San Diego. Sales volume is planned for
approximately 2,600 units over the next three years. The battery
warranty is 8 years or 100,000 miles.
In July 2010, Toyota Motor Corporation and
Tesla Motors jointly announced an agreement to develop an all-electric
version of the RAV4, with the intent to bring the vehicle to market in
2012. Tesla contributed its EV technology expertise, daring spirit,
quick decision making and flexibility. Toyota contributed design,
engineering, manufacturing and production expertise. In an industry
where development cycles are typically five years, Toyota and Tesla
brought a dynamic product to market in less than half that time.
