MAY 10

Toyota unveiled the all-electric RAV4, the first all-electric SUV to hit the market, at the Electric Vehicle Symposium 26 in Los Angeles on Monday. The EV is the result of a partnership between Toyota and Tesla Motors, which provided the electric drivetrain and battery technology.

The electric RAV4 looks a lot like its gas-fueled counterpart, but has some EV-only specs. The body was tweaked to deliver better aerodynamics and the headlights, daytime running lights and rear combination lights are all LEDs. The interior features an eight-inch touchscreen display for navigation, EV drive information and settings controls.

Drivers can choose between driving in Sport or Normal mode, with the former choosing performance over efficiency, taking the vehicle from 0-60 in just 7 seconds and has a max speed of 100 mph. The Normal mode slows things down with a max speed of 85 mph and goes from 0-60 in 8.6 seconds to preserve battery life. The RAV4 is expected to have a range of 100 miles and have a charging time of six hours.

The price has been set at $49,800, though tax credits and incentives will likely lower the price quite a bit. It will launch in late summer in four California markets -- Sacramento, San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego -- with a wider roll-out to follow. Toyota expects to sell about 2,600 units over the next three years.

via Toyota

Comments (8)

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Expensive
written by Robin, May 11, 2012

Why would anyone buy one of these when you could get the Tesla S with a 160 mile range for the same price?

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Because it's big and is a 4 wheel drive?
written by Ronald Brak, May 13, 2012

Large four wheel drives are quite popular in the snowy parts of Japan and a 100 mile range will suit many Japanese people. The high price of gasoline makes electric cars more attractive in Japan than Iran or the US.

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Meh
written by Charles, May 14, 2012

Toyota expect to sell only 2,600 vehicles over three years. These vehicles are certainly not going to have any measurable effect on CO2 levels. This is just marketing/positioning BS.

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written by Kalirren, May 14, 2012

Ah. I was just about to ask why anyone would want an SUV that was dependent upon the grid, because I think of an SUV as a vehicle for backcountry use. I would want any SUV I bought to have a fuel tank. But snowy Japan makes sense.

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written by Ian E, May 15, 2012

The first all-electric SUV... since the last one? A coworker friend of mine owned an old RAV4-EV that he was able to buy for a short time after the lease was up.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_RAV4_EV
He's now on a waiting list for a Tesla.

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written by Anna, May 22, 2012

This is a GOD SEND! I've been waiting for this RAV4 for a long time. I've written messages to Toyota asking them to get the RAV4 on board with greater fuel efficiency and FINALLY! It's here! Where I am located, I need a 4 wheel drive vehicle that can get through snow. I didn't buy an SUV yet because of their repuation as gas guzzlers but now I can buy one feeling better about it's environmental impact.

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written by Anna, May 22, 2012

Thank god it finally came! I need a 4 wheel drive vehicle where I live to get through the occasional snow.

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No 4WD
written by Chris, November 29, 2012

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, Anna, but like many other SUVs, the RAV4 EV is not 4 wheel drive.

As for it being hype because they're not expecting to sell many, we have to start somewhere with the EV market. It's not going to explode until gas prices go way up or EV prices come way down and people see their neighbors are happy with EVs. Unfortunately it has to start small.

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