Electric RAV4 gets the go-ahead

The wraps came off the electric RAV4 last year, and Toyota bosses are about to put it into production

Auto Express Car Reviews

28th July 2011

Toyota bosses have confirmed the RAV4 EV – first seen at 2010’s LA Motor Show – will go on sale early next year.

In a statement, the Japanese brand said it “anticipates robust public interest” in the car.

The newcomer is the first fruit of Toyota’s million (£30.1million) investment in US electric car pioneer Tesla.

A massive 300kg battery pack mounted under the floor powers a 148bhp electric motor to give a 0-62mph sprint time

of only nine seconds and a top speed of 100mph. The range from a single, 12-hour charge is around 100 miles.

But here’s the bad news: the RAV4 EV will be available only in the US when it arrives at the beginning of 2012 – although a UK spokesman hinted it could hit dealers here within two years.

The newcomer is only the start of Toyota’s electric plans for next year. A small number of battery-powered iQ city cars will be introduced for public testing, with a UK production version slated for 2014.

For an alternative review of the latest Toyota RAV4 visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk