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Toyota RAV4 EV: California-only electric SUV revealed

Toyota has revealed the new all-electric Toyota RAV4 EV at the 26th annual Electric Vehicle Symposium in Los Angeles, confirming the zero-emissions SUV will be cost US$49,800 ($48,880) "fully-equipped".


Toyota's all-electric RAV4 EV has a 115kW electric drivetrain powering the front wheels with peak power available at 2800rpm. Drivers can select between two different drive modes: Sport and Normal. Sport mode sees the RAV4 EV reach 0-100km/h in 7.0 seconds and a top speed of 160km/h, while Normal mode sees figures of 8.6 seconds and 136km/h.

The RAV4 EV's battery pack, which is covered by an eight-year/160,000km warranty, should deliver a 160km range, and can be charged in around six hours from a standard 240V/40A household charger. Toyota has also mounted it low and central in the vehicle to help give a lower centre of gravity and improve handling.

Toyota says the RAV4 EV's driving performance, dynamics and cargo capacity are at least as good as the petrol-powered RAV4 V6 with no interior space lost as a result of EV components.

Toyota promises an exceptionally smooth and quiet ride, due in part to the RAV4 EV's low drag coefficient of 0.30 Cd - the lowest of any SUV in the world.

The differences between the previous petrol RAV4 and new all-electric RAV4 EV aren't just confined to the motor either: a re-styled front bumper, grille, side mirrors, LED low beam headlights and halogen high beams, LED daytime running lights, LED brake lights, rear spoiler, a new air flow-maximising under body and of course signature "environmental blue" Toyota badging have all been added.

The interior hasn't been ignored either with a six-way adjustable heated driver's seat that features a new unique "Neutron" fabric that has a subtle sheen and blue accent woven into it.

An eight-inch touch screen featuring navigation, telematics, and EV drive and settings information is also included as well as Bluetooth, USB and iPod connectivity. The dash display colour also changes to correspond with the vehicle mode selected - red in sport mode and blue in normal mode.

The Canadian-manufactured RAV4 EV will be available later this year in three colors: Blizzard White Pearl, Shoreline Blue Pearl and Classic Silver Metallic.

The product of a collaboration between Toyota and Tesla Motors, the RAV4 EV will initially be sold in four major Californian markets including Sacramento, the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles/Orange County and San Diego with a planned sales volume of only 2600 units over the next three years.

Click on the Gallery for more photos.

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