Toyota to debut new RAV4 EV at EVS 26
30 April 2012
Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc., will debut the new RAV4 EV (earlier post) at the 26th International Electric Vehicle Symposium (EVS26) in Los Angeles on 7 May.
TMS unveiled a second-generation Toyota RAV4 EV demonstrator vehicle at the Los Angeles Auto Show in 2010. Toyota built 35 of these Phase Zero vehicles—essentially converted RAV4s—for a demonstration and evaluation program through 2011. Tesla Motors is supplying the battery and other related components. (Earlier post.)
The vehicle going on sale this year is a fully re-engineered RAV4 EV (Phase One vehicle), which will be sold to the general public as well as to fleet users. (Earlier post.)
Good news. This is from the JV with Tesla. Another way for Toyota to cozy up to Tesla - a certain interest from their M&A Dept.
Posted by: Reel$$ | 30 April 2012 at 12:50 PM
If the vehicle is used most days, a ZEBRA battery can be used which will last for the life of the vehicle or more and can be very inexpensive once the production is automated for the GE Durathon version. There should be a small range extender built into the vehicle in any case.
The TESLA is the car that will kill the electric car with its high cost and no range extender.
ACpropulsion did the initial design for motor and drive for the TESLA when they built the TZERO that could have an optional range extending generator trailer. They also got good cheap service out of lead batteries for their early tests.
..HG..
Posted by: Henry Gibson | 01 May 2012 at 02:30 AM
The Tesla S with 380 Km range may be the first long range EV to reach the market place in 2013.
By 2015/17, the next generation Tesla S, with improved batteries, may reach 500+ range and will satisfy most drivers.
Posted by: HarveyD | 01 May 2012 at 09:11 AM