Toyota RAV4 EV – A $49,000 Compliance Exercise

by Derek Kreindler

Published: May 7th, 2012

toyota rav4 ev a 49 000 compliance exercise

Toyota is only planning to sell 2,300 RAV4 EVs over the next three years! Can anyone say “compliance car”?

According to Yahoo’s Motoramic blog, Toyota sold that many RAV4s in one week last month. The RAV4 is a big departure from the first generation RAV4 EV sold in California.

The flat battery pack developed by Tesla means the car loses no cargo space. 60 mph comes up in 7 seconds (with Sport mode engaged – otherwise it’s 8.6 seconds). And the 100 mile range is competitive with cars like the Nissan Leaf.

Unfortunately, the RAV4 EV is expected to carry a $20,000 premium over the regular RAV4, and will be sold in very limited numbers – condemning it to irrelevance and a life of little purpose, save for meeting an obscure governmental mandate.

#ElectricVehicles #EV #NewCars #SUV #Tesla #Toyota #ToyotaRav4 #ToyotaRav4Ev

Derek Kreindler

More by Derek Kreindler

Comments

Join the conversation

2 of 16 comments

Jimmyy on May 07, 2012

Very cool. But, too expensive. Cut 15K from the price, and I would take it for a test drive.

Like Reply
Kuponoodles on May 09, 2012

I'm confused. Why the RAV4 platform, it's not exactly light. Why not Matrix or Scion Xb if they need the room? I don't understand the Pirus V but see it's potential.... so why not just add the existing Hybrid Technology to the V6 model like they did in the Highlander? or Lexus RX hybrids? What is the point of putting a pure EV powerplant into an outgoing platform? Why do we drive on a parkway but park in the driveway? :)

Like Reply

Recent Comments

MaintenanceCosts We need a $15k EV, probably a tall hatch, that satisfies US safety standards with reasonable comfort and durability and a warranty. That would actually be affordable to the median wage earner.
Calrson Fan I'll take a simple over cheap. Although that should equate to cheap or at least cheaper. I'm so over all the useless & intrusive tech. common in today's cars & trucks. Which is why I drive older stuff. We need more vehicles geared towards simplicity and longevity, like the Slate. if that ever makes it to market. As I once heard on American Hot Rod, less is more. Isn't that the truth!
28-Cars-Later Maybe it will eventually change but as of right now even if you spend the money to build these stations everywhere, if the electricity sold is 100%+ of what its sold for in residential rates it will never take off. To a degree a convenience charge amount (of not 100%) could fly but smart owners will understand the trade off and limit their use of it. Those without home charging capabilities simply won't continue to pay through the nose on electricity - a utility of which has skyrocketed even wholesale and I suspect will continue to do so.
KOKing Need and want are definitely different, especially today. Not only are relative expectations different from 40-50yrs ago, but used cars' value/features/quality probably make them more attractive options than a couple generations ago. I suspect for the same $21k as a Hyundai Venue, a lot of people would choose a ~5yr old Ford Explorer instead. Today's gas prices might make some think twice, but a lot of the same people probably won't think as far as repair costs.I think something interesting to look at in other global markets where historically cheap, small cars continue to be available, where cheap Chinese cars are becoming available, whether the latter end up quickly displacing the former in the low-cost segment long-term (I suspect yes).
Lorenzo What the American market needs is a 1997 Honda Civic EX in coupe or sedan form, fully loaded like in 1997 at 1997 prices ($19K) or a slightly bigger 1997 Nissan Altima GXE sedan with the larger 2.4L engine and reliable Jatco automatic for about the same price. I have owned both, and wish I had either one back so I could get rid of the keyless Cr**p, the drive-by-wire, and the touch screen, and operate the car myself with buttons and knobs..