Toyota sprang a surprise at the Los Angeles Auto Show by revealing an electric version of its popular RAV4 SUV. Called the RAV4 EV, Toyota matter-of-factly announced the vehicle is slated for volume sales from 2012.
In the meantime, 35 examples will be built for testing and demonstration use during the next 12 months.
Toyota says the remarkable electric SUV will have a range between recharges of 160kms and the American-developed vehicles will use batteries and related components sourced from electric vehicle specialist Tesla and made in Tesla’s factory in Palo, Alto, California.
During the RAV4 EV’s development in North America, the driving experience was crucial – no-one will buy an electric RAV if it doesn’t offer driving dynamics comparable to the petrol version. For example, no cargo space was lost and as the RAV4 EV weighs-in 100kgs above the existing RAV4 V6, much reworking of the suspension systems was undertaken to adjust for the extra girth.
Even so, the RAV4 EV accelerates from zero to 100km/ in virtually the same time as the V6.
Externally, the new front-end treatment easily identifies the RAV4 EV, while inside there is unique trim and revised instruments.
The North American development of this vehicle signifies a major shift for Toyota which traditionally does things in-house in Japan. However, identifying the possibility of fast development from Californian electric vehicle partner Tesla, Toyota President Akio Toyoda gave the go-ahead to Toyota North America, based in Michigan.
