The New RAV4 EV

[heems]

Also I figure this is actually the first instance of the Tesla 40kWh pack in the wild. It exists!

[TEG]

2012 Toyota RAV4 EV: First Drive Of Tesla-Powered Crossover

...Unlike lesser battery electric cars whose onboard chargers are limited to 3.3 kilowatts (Nissan Leaf) or 6.6 kilowatts (Ford Focus Electric, Coda Sedan), the Tesla-designed charger in the RAV4 EV can charge at up to 10 kilowatts...

[Norbert]

Aside from Tesla's, it sounds like this will be the best EV so far. (However, also most expensive).

And a great addition to the available electric car options.

[Lloyd]

Not real happy about their comment regarding the battery.


From the article "But given that the car may retain only 50 percent of its pack capacity over 5 to 8 years--largely depending on how it's driven and charged--there's an argument that a three-year lease might be about right."

[Norbert]

Not real happy about their comment regarding the battery.

From the article "But given that the car may retain only 50 percent of its pack capacity over 5 to 8 years--largely depending on how it's driven and charged--there's an argument that a three-year lease might be about right."

Yeah, I thought about asking where he got those numbers from.

[qwk]

Not real happy about their comment regarding the battery.


From the article "But given that the car may retain only 50 percent of its pack capacity over 5 to 8 years--largely depending on how it's driven and charged--there's an argument that a three-year lease might be about right."

This part sounds made up.

[jerry33]

From the article "But given that the car may retain only 50 percent of its pack capacity over 5 to 8 years--largely depending on how it's driven and charged--there's an argument that a three-year lease might be about right."

It sounds like it came from his laptop experience.

[stopcrazypp]

It sounds like it came from his laptop experience.

If so, wrong comparison. In a laptop, the battery is frequently put near or next to hot components and most of them are kept near 100% SOC for long periods of time (when used plugged in). Those are two things that degrades batteries rapidly.

The Tesla pack is liquid cooled and it stays near 100% SOC for only short periods of time (basically only if you put it in range mode, charge fully, and don't use the charge for a couple of days).

Anyways, it looks like the RAV4 EV will get 100 miles of range easily (with range to spare).

[gg_got_a_tesla]

A review with good pictures from CNET:

2012 Toyota RAV4 EV - SUV - CNET Reviews

Hmm... It actually appears to be a viable alternative to the 40 kWh Model S for folks in the 4 California markets...

Oh, it comes with *heated* cloth seats too!

[Yggdrasill]

I don't see one in any of their photos so far!

Attachment 8360

Fair enough. "Will a tow hitch be an option?" would be a very good question to ask someone at Toyota.