2013 Toyota RAV4 EV

Just the Facts:

• Toyota unveiled its new RAV4 EV at the 26th annual Electric Vehicle Symposium in Los Angeles.
• The car will be priced from $50,610 when it goes on sale in late summer in four California markets.
• The RAV4 EV uses an electric drive system and battery pack supplied by Tesla Motors.

LOS ANGELES — Toyota unveiled its new 2013 Rav4 EV at the 26th annual Electric Vehicle Symposium here and said the car will be priced from $50,610 when it goes on sale in late summer in four California markets. The base sticker includes an $810 shipping charge.

The RAV4 EV, which uses a 115kW electric drive system and battery pack supplied by Tesla Motors, will be sold initially in Sacramento, the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles/Orange County and San Diego, Toyota said. The automaker plans to sell about 2,600 RAV4 EVs over the next three years.

The latest edition of the RAV4 EV has a driving range between charges of around 100 miles and takes about six hours to recharge on a 240V/40A charger.

Toyota said the RAV4 EV's driving performance, dynamics and cargo capacity are equal to or exceed that of the gasoline-powered RAV4 V6. Toyota said the front-wheel-drive RAV4 EV can accelerate from zero to 60 in 7.0 seconds and has a top speed of 100 mph.

The electric version of the RAV4 gets a new front bumper, grille, mirrors and rear spoiler, with a smoother underbody to maximize airflow. The RAV4 EV also features LED projector headlamps, daytime running lights and rear combination lights. Toyota said the car will be offered in three exterior colors — Blizzard White Pearl, Shoreline Blue Pearl and Classic Silver Metallic.

Among the interior highlights are a Neutron fabric with blue accents for the seat inserts and door trim, and an 8-inch capacitive touchscreen that displays navigation, telematics and EV drive information.
The RAV EV is being assembled at Toyota's plant in Woodstock, Ontario.

Inside Line says: The RAV4 EV will square off later this year against Ford's new C-Max, which will be offered initially in hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants. Ford hasn't said whether it also plans to market a pure electric version of the C-Max, as it is doing with the Focus compact.

Unfortunately it is not slated to come to Canada in the near future. Peace Arch Toyota's customers who were waiting for this will unfortunately have to wait a little longer.