Toyota and Tesla Trot Out the RAV4 EV

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.â€" The RAV4 EV, a battery-powered crossover jointly developed by Toyota and Tesla, made its California debut this week. The vehicle, aimed at urban markets here, will be offered for sale this summer for $51,000. Tesla has a $100 million contract to supply the vehicle’s electric motors, power electronics, proprietary lithium-ion battery packs, single-speed gearboxes and software. The components, the companies said, were similar to those in Tesla’s new Model S sedan. Indeed, the Model S and RAV4 EV will be priced nearly the same. The RAV4 platform, supplied by Toyota from its gasoline-powered version of the RAV4, offers additional utility and cargo capacity. The EV can operate on normal and sport power settings. Normal allows 218 pound-feet of torque, while sport produces 273. The top speed in normal mode is 85 m.p.h.; in sport, speed capability is increased to 100 m.p.h. In sport mode, the EV will make the sprint from a standstill to 60 m.p.h. in seven seconds, Toyota calculated. “Conservative” range on a single charge is 100 miles, although by using settings, designated as eco-high or eco-low, the range could be extended to as much as 170 miles. Powered By iWebRSS.co.cc