Tesla-tmc 'rav4 ev' concept debuts at la show

Los Angeles, United States, November 18, 2010—Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announces the debut of the "RAV4 EV" concept, an electric vehicle it is developing jointly with Tesla Motors, Inc. (Tesla). The vehicle is on display at the Los Angeles Auto Show here until November 28.

The RAV4 EV concept—based on the highly functional Toyota "RAV4" compact SUV body and fitted with a Tesla electric powertrain—has a targeted cruising range of approximately 100 miles (160 km) in real-world driving conditions. TMC and Tesla plan to further accelerate development, which is taking place mainly in the United States, with the aim of marketing the vehicle in the United States in 2012.

In May, Tesla and TMC announced their intent to cooperate on the development of electric vehicles and parts, and on production systems and engineering. Tesla seeks to learn and benefit from TMC's engineering, manufacturing and production expertise, while TMC aims to learn from Tesla's EV technology, daring spirit, quick decision-making and flexibility.

TMC is working to limit the consumption of fossil fuels and to reduce CO2 emissions through the promotion of energy sources other than gasoline, such as electricity. In 1997, the company launched the "Prius", the world's first mass-produced gasoline-electric hybrid passenger car, cumulative sales of which have recently passed 2 million units. Also, from 1996 to 2003 TMC sold approximately 1,900 units of the first RAV4 EV—the first marketed vehicle in the world to be propelled by a nickel-metal hydride battery.