Electric Toyota RAV4? Yep.
First, a disclaimer: my wife owns a Toyota RAV4 and loves her vehicle. She drives a 2003 model and reminded me today that in the six years we’ve owned the car, it hasn’t failed us once. Very true!
Second, an electrified RAV4 is in the works.
Toyota and Tesla entered into a partnership in May 2010 to produce an electrified Toyota and we now know that the vehicle will be a pure electric version of its popular RAV4 crossover.
Prototype EV
Already, Tesla has produced a prototype e-RAV4 and has delivered that vehicle to Toyota for testing. Tesla is a leader in the pure electric market, having brought its lithium-ion powered Tesla Roadster to the market in 2008. The California based automaker says that it is working on a second model, an electric sedan, that should be ready for the market in 2012.
Toyota purchased a $50 million stake in Tesla in May according to Automotive News. At that time Toyota and Tesla announced their desire to cooperate on the development of electric vehicles, parts, and production system and engineering support. Through this arrangement, Tesla seeks to learn and benefit from Toyota’s engineering, manufacturing, and production expertise, while Toyota aims to learn from Tesla’s EV technology, flexibility and quick turnaround.
Mutually Beneficial
The relationship may prove to be enormously beneficial to both companies. Tesla has wanted to remain independent, but with a cash infusion and stake from Toyota, the upstart automaker can aggressively pursue some options it might not be able to undertake had it not hooked up with Toyota.
Toyota, though a leader in hybrid technology, could use a boost in the area of pure electrification. Moreover, following massive recalls and product glitches for the first half of 2010, the Tesla partnership focuses everyone’s attention on some of the positive things that Toyota can do. The recalls matter and the lawsuits will proceed, but Tesla will help Toyota to “move forward” as their tag line says.
Electric Lexus
Don’t think for a moment that the Toyota RAV4 will be the only model that will benefit from Tesla electrification. Rumor has it that the Lexus RX series, already available in hybrid form, could be the first pure electric Lexus to hit the market courtesy of Tesla Motors.
Source: Toyota Motor Corporation
Resources
CNN: Tesla to build electric Toyota Rav4
Los Angeles Times: Toyota-Tesla plan to build electric RAV4 shows partnership is serious
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