There are three generations of Toyota electric cars. First was the RAV4 EV. Built from 1997-2003, the last electric RAV4 was sold in 2003, despite a waiting list of customers. The vehicle was the RAV 4 electric SUV. About 1,500 were made in all. About 350 were sold, but that doesn’t mean much since the sales window was not left open very long.
Used RAV4s still fetch from $10,000 - $20,000 US or more on eBay. Lessons learned from the RAV4 were applied to the 2nd generation Toyota (partial) electric car, the Toyota Prius. The Prius uses a Nickel Metal Hydride battery pack as did the RAV4.
Toyota’s Hybrid Electric Vehicle the Prius has been incredibly successful. About 2.5 million have been sold to date. The Prius is the most fuel efficient
car sold in the US today. Likewise, it is one of the cleanest burning. The Prius features other EV components like regenerative braking. It appears there may be a little trouble with Prius brakes according to a recent recall. We hope Toyota gets it worked out.
The 3rd generation Toyota electric car is the futuristic looking 2012 FT-EV II Concept. For some reason, the futuristic FT-EV II features toy car looks and diminutive size.
The range is advertised as 55 miles. From experience with other Japanese electric vehicles of this category, that is 55 miles on a clear, warm, flat day. Maybe by 2012 however, battery technology improvements will make 55 miles a reality.
The Prius today costs from about $22,000 to $32,000 US. The RAV4 EV was around $40,000 US, before incentives. One good thing about the planned FT-EV II would be a diminutive price that could range from $14,000 to $20,000 US.
Note that there is an aftermarket Toyota conversion known as the eBox.
This is an AC Propulsion Systems makeover of the popular Toyota Scion. These cars are custom built, and will set you back $50,000 US.
In some very interesting EV news, Toyota has announced a $50 million US stake in the Tesla company. The Tesla Roadster is the cutting edge street legal e-rocket. The Tesla S is company's sedan expected to roll out as a 2012 version.
In an interesting twist, Toyota announces a return of the RAV4 EV. Toyota has teamed up with Tesla to turn out a new electric RAV4 in 2012.
In yet another engineering coup, Toyota has developed the new generation RAV EV using a Tesla designed electric motor that is free of rare earth metals (REE). This will ensure the continued production of Toyota motors in a world where China currently controls around 90% of REE.
