NEW TOYOTA RAV4
ELECTRIC VEHICLE
NEW TOYOTA RAV4
ELECTRIC VEHICLE
Toyota has begun selling its zero emission RAV4-EV (electric vehicle) to retail customers in California. Today at Toyota of Hollywood, the first non-fleet retail sale of a RAV4-EV was made to popular actor/environmentalist Ed Begley, Jr.
Begley, Jr. has long been committed to numerous environmental causes including the reduction of smog-forming emissions in automobiles and the preservation of precious natural resources. In addition to his new RAV4-EV, he is also the proud owner of a Toyota Prius gas/electric hybrid vehicle.
Despite the generous time he dedicates to spreading environmental awareness, Begley, Jr. has found time to take on a starring role in the new ABC series, "The Web," which premieres on March 27. He also can be seen in recurring roles on the WB series, "7th Heaven", and the HBO series, "Six Feet Under".
"The RAV4-EV demonstrates Toyota's commitment to the environment, the EV market and consumers like myself who are looking for a functional zero-emissions vehicle to meet their everyday needs," said Begley, Jr. "I'm very excited and honored to be the first retail owner of a RAV4-EV in California."
The Toyota RAV4-EV is a zero emission, state-of-the-art electric version of Toyota's popular RAV4 sport utility vehicle (SUV). In 1997, Toyota began making the RAV4-EV available nationally through a special fleet lease program to major corporations, government agencies and utilities. Today, RAV4-EV is one of the best-selling electric vehicles in the country with more than 900 in service nationwide, including 700 on the road in California.
Beginning in 2003, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Zero Emissions Vehicle Mandate (ZEV) will take effect, requiring 10 percent of all new vehicles sold in California to meet low emissions standards, with two percent qualified as zero emission vehicles. As part of Toyota's overall compliance effort, and in order to meet the zero emissions mandate, Toyota has begun offering RAV4-EVs to retail customers in California.
The RAV4-EV is powered by a maintenance-free, permanent magnet motor, producing 50kW of power (equivalent to a 67-horsepower gasoline engine). It's a real vehicle with a top speed of 78 mph, and provides style, room, practicality and utility. With a range between 80 and 100 miles per charge, RAV4-EV can be used to meet most daily driving needs.
As a compact SUV with seating for five and space for cargo, the RAV4 offers a level of flexible use and versatility that other EVs are unable to match. Standard equipment includes such popular features as four-wheel anti-lock brakes, alloy wheels, dual front airbags, air conditioning, power-operated mirrors, windows and door locks, and a deluxe sound system with a CD player.
The RAV4-EV has a manufacturers suggested retail price (MSRP) of $42,000, but a $9,000 incentive from CARB and a $3,000 IRS credit brings the price down to $30,000, which includes an in-home charging device. There are also three special introductory lease options, which also include the use of the charger.
Toyota is selling the RAV4-EV at participating dealers in every major metro market in California. The RAV4-EV will be launched in a manner similar to the Prius hybrid introduction where customers have the ability to communicate and order the RAV4-EV on-line at www.toyota.com and take actual delivery through a participating dealer. The popular Prius will be available for purchase at participating Toyota dealers and should be in stock soon.
Written by: Toyota
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