Tesla And Toyota Announce Deal To Make Electric Rav4

Tesla and Toyota have announced that the two automakers will team up to create an electric version of the Toyota Rav4.

After the success of the Prius Hybrid, the Rav4 EV will be take Toyota’s EV technology the next step, with the help of Tesla, who has been manufacturing full-electric sports cars for some time now. The companies announced a collaboration earlier this year, and this project should be mutually beneficial to both parties.

The electric Rav4 will be sold in the US, and is scheduled to arrive in 2012. The first prototype has already been built, ad Tesla plans to deliver a fleet of Rav4 EV prototypes to Toyota for testing by the end of the year.

Scroll down for more information in the press release.
 

Tesla Motors and Toyota Motor Corporation Formalize Agreement to Develop Electric Version of RAV4

Palo Alto, California, U.S.A., and Tokyo, Japan — TESLA MOTORS, INC. (Tesla) and TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) today announced that the two companies have signed an agreement to initiate the development of an electric version of the RAV4 as announced in May of this year by Elon Musk and Akio Toyoda. With an aim to market the EV in the United States in 2012, prototypes will be made combining the Toyota RAV4 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.
 
In May, Tesla and TMC announced their intent to cooperate on the development of electric vehicles, parts, and production system and engineering support. Tesla seeks to learn and benefit from Toyota’s engineering, manufacturing, and production expertise, while Toyota aims to learn from Tesla’s EV technology, daring spirit, quick decision-making, and flexibility.
 
TMC has, since its foundation in 1937, operated under the philosophy of “contributing to society through the manufacture of automobiles,” and made cars that satisfy its many customers around the world. TMC introduced the first-generation Prius hybrid vehicle in 1997. The company also plans to introduce EVs into the market by 2012.
 
Tesla’s goal is to produce increasingly affordable electric cars for mainstream buyers – relentlessly driving down the cost of EVs. California-based Tesla designs and manufactures EVs and EV powertrain components, and is currently the only automaker in the U.S. that builds and sells highway-capable EVs in serial production.