Tesla Motors has signed a deal with Toyota Motor Corp to start developing an electric version of the RAV4.
With an aim to market the EV in the US in 2012, prototypes will be made combining the RAV4 compact SUV model with a Tesla electric powertrain. Tesla plans to produce and deliver a fleet of prototypes to Toyota for evaluation within this year. The first prototype has already been built and is now undergoing testing.
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Toyota announced in May that it would invest US$50m in California-based Tesla and jointly develop electric models. The EV maker recently bought Toyota’s former assembly plant in Fremont, California, which was originally a joint venture with General Motors.
Last week, Tesla said it will deliver two rechargeable prototypes to Toyota this month as a first step in their alliance.
Unlike many carmakers, Tesla vehicles use thousands of the same type of small lithium-ion battery cells that power laptop computers. Toyota said it wants to study that approach to see if it offers advantages over using larger types of battery cells.
Tesla is also working with Daimler on electric vehicles and has supplied battery packs for use in Smart models.
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By GlobalDataToyota previously developed and marketed an electric version of its first generation RAV4, launched in petrol form in the US three years after debut in other markets.
According to Wikipedia, the electric version was leased from 1997 to 2003 and, at the lessees’ requests, many units were sold after the vehicle was discontinued. This year 800 units were reportedly still in use.
The reports, not verified by just-auto, added the first fleet version became available on a limited basis in 1997 and, in 2001 it was possible for businesses, cities or utilities to lease one or two of these cars. Toyota subsequently sold or leased 328 RAV4 EVs to the general public in 2003 when the programme was terminated despite waiting lists of prospective customers.
