Official Toyota RAV4 EV thread

[evnow]

I guess this news is out there for sometime. In the June issue of Plugin America's newsletter, Linda Nicholas writes "but they plan a limited production of only 2,600. Also they don't know if they will even sell it. May be only lease".

You can read rest of the article here.

5/21/11 : http://www.pluginamerica.org/drivers-seat/rav4-ev-heart-tesla

Or, may be the idea is evolving. The test wasn't satisfactory enough - so they decided to just make a limited run to comply with CARB rules.

 

[rnkepler]

http://www.plugincars.com/growing-ev-industry-still-divided-over-dc-charging-107369.html

Hidden in that piece is the information that RAV4 EVs will not be sold to the consumers. It is just for fleets. I guess small numbers and high lease prices. Toyota isn't serious about EVs.

The Toyota RAV4 EV will make its comeback after first being sold 15 years ago. The vehicle won’t be made available to consumers, Yoza said, instead they are focusing on “very strategic applications” such as fleets and car sharing programs.

Looks like that was a mistake. Apparently John Gartner got a call from Toyota and has since corrected his original article for Pike Research to say that its the Scion iQ EV that will be sold only to fleets and car sharing programs, not the RAV4 EV.

Growing EV Industry Still Divided Over DC Charging

(Correction: This article was edited to correct the reference to Toyota’s upcoming fleet vehicle as the iQ EV, not the RAV4 EV.)

Scion iQ EV won't be sold to the general public [UPDATE]

UPDATE: Instead of using the strikeout feature in this entire post, here's an update direct from Pike Research: "Toyota called to clarify that the vehicle that will only be sold to fleets is the Scion iQ EV, not the RAV4 EV as we were previously told." So, um, yeah.

 

[evnow]

Looks like that was a mistake. Apparently John Gartner got a call from Toyota and has since corrected his original article for Pike Research to say that its the Scion iQ EV that will be sold only to fleets and car sharing programs, not the RAV4 EV.

Growing EV Industry Still Divided Over DC Charging

(Correction: This article was edited to correct the reference to Toyota’s upcoming fleet vehicle as the iQ EV, not the RAV4 EV.)

Interesting.

So, we go back to the old quote from PIA - only 2,600 will be made - and probably lease only.

How is that any better ?

 

[rnkepler]

How is that any better ?

Oh, its not better at all. Just thought it was interesting (in a sad kind of way) that Toyota is just making a handful of EVs for consumers. It seems pretty apparent that Ford, Toyota and Honda don't really see any significant market for EVs beyond the early adopters/enthusiasts and are hedging their bets accordingly.

 

[evnow]

How is that any better ?

Oh, its not better at all.

I didn't mean to pose the question to you - it's for Toyota.

 

[Adrian]

According to this, Toyota will be selling the RAV4 EV to the public, not just fleets:

http://pressroom.toyota.com/releases/toyota+rav4+ev+coming+to+market+in+2012.htm?view_id=35924

 

[TEG]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-07-20/tesla-wins-100-million-toyota-supply-deal.html

 

[surfingslovak]

RAV4 EV spotted in Long Beach today. Since it's not out officially yet, it's anyone's guess what it was doing there.


Click to open

 

[DaveEV]

RAV4 EV spotted in Long Beach today. Since it's not out officially yet, it's anyone's guess what it was doing there.

Electric Vehicle Symposium 26 is in Los Angeles next week. Toyota will be "unveiling" the RAV4-EV there.

http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/30/new-toyota-rav4-ev-coming-to-evs26-next-week/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[kmp647]

Only 2600 , California only?

Why bother :arrow:

 

[TomT]

Because it allows them to meet their legal CARB requirements. It's simply a scam.

Only 2600 , California only?
Why bother :arrow:

 

[kmp647]

Its a shame, I think they could sell more than 2,600. many would choose a FWD Rav4EV to do the daily driving and get the kids to school and practice, and some commuting in the SUV shape they are comfortable with.

the utility would be great and with 9.6kw charging at home !

49k, less the 7,500 puts it about the same price as a toyota highlander and many other SUV's

if they sold it nationwide, even at 50k before rebates , I think they could sell 3-500 a month 3-5,000 a year

bang out 15,000 over 3 years maybe more.

 

[evnow]

I guess this news is out there for sometime. In the June issue of Plugin America's newsletter, Linda Nicholas writes "but they plan a limited production of only 2,600. Also they don't know if they will even sell it. May be only lease".

You can read rest of the article here.

5/21/11 : http://www.pluginamerica.org/drivers-se" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... eart-tesla

Or, may be the idea is evolving. The test wasn't satisfactory enough - so they decided to just make a limited run to comply with CARB rules.

Interesting - the number 2,600 has been known for almost a year.

 

[kmp647]

You could announce 2600 knowing it meets the carb requirement and is conservative and reachable

Then build a few more if things go well, having kept them hard to get all the while

Or if you find thm tough to sell just eek out the requirement and pass a few out to schools and university

 

[redLEAF]

Actually, looks like this is $50,610 with destination charge and the 2,600 estimate is over the THREE years as well as only a 100 mile range ... hmmm (as well as not even available for sale in IL) Out here in the midwest seem to recall an Equinox EV conversion from AMP; 150 mile range (2nd URL) but will they bring it to market and what the eventual price might be is the question (the article states $47K but a bit too optimistic) ... having SUV utility would be good but with it's expected to have some range as well, with this small a number I doubt they won't sell out just to have a niche vehicle but not yet ready for the masses

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20120507/CARNEWS/120509868

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/alternative/1010_2012_amp_electric_equinox/viewall.html

 

[GotMyleaf]

A pair of really cool Toyota employees were taking it on a test run up to Big Bear and I happened to stop by the CHAdeMO in San Bernardino for a charge.

 

[GRA]

Actually, looks like this is $50,610 with destination charge and the 2,600 estimate is over the THREE years as well as only a 100 mile range ... hmmm (as well as not even available for sale in IL) Out here in the midwest seem to recall an Equinox EV conversion from AMP; 150 mile range (2nd URL) but will they bring it to market and what the eventual price might be is the question (the article states $47K but a bit too optimistic) ... having SUV utility would be good but with it's expected to have some range as well, with this small a number I doubt they won't sell out just to have a niche vehicle but not yet ready for the masses

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20120507/CARNEWS/120509868

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/alternative/1010_2012_amp_electric_equinox/viewall.html

I doubt that the AMP will have better range than the RAV4, the weights and presumably drag are comparable, and the RAV4 has a 41.8kWh battery vice 37kWh in the AMP. Toyota claims '100 miles real-world range' and I can believe it, while the AMP's 150 range is, as the article mentions, based on an unrealistic cycle. I doubt that even the 120 mile range they give as more realistic will be achievable in the same conditions the RAV4 manages 100.

 

[abasile]

A pair of really cool Toyota employees were taking it on a test run up to Big Bear and I happened to stop by the CHAdeMO in San Bernardino for a charge.

Here's a repost: (I originally posted this at http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=7791#p171417" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false

I test-drove a prototype RAV4 EV this past November, after it was charged at my house. A Toyota employee wanted to get the vehicle up to Big Bear Lake, and my charging dock (in PlugShare) came in quite handy. As a prototype vehicle, it definitely had rough edges and wasn't as refined and fun to drive as our LEAF. Still, for someone looking for a roomier vehicle and possibly AWD, this could be great. Here are some photos.

I see Tesla all over the place, including a Tesla to J-1772 adaptor!

 

[GRA]

Greencarreports review and test drive by John Voelcker here:

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1078181_2012-toyota-rav4-ev-first-drive-of-tesla-powered-crossover" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I like everything except the price, which is out of range.

 

[IBELEAF]

I like the new front, but rear is kind of same old. Pricingwise wish it would be about 10k cheaper.