Leviton to Make Custom Electric Vehicle Chargers for Toyota

Toyota has announced their Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) provider, and they have chosen (drum roll)... Leviton! Ford has also partnered with Leviton to offer charging equipment through Best Buy, though it looks like Best Buy might be dropping out of that partnership. According to Leviton, "The custom Toyota electric vehicle charger, built off of Leviton’s existing EVSE line of products, gives Toyota customers a safe and reliable solution when charging their Prius Plug-In Hybrid or RAV4 EV." Leviton will provide charging solutions to both consumers and dealerships. That doesn't mean that Prius Plug-In customers will be required to purchase their Level 2 charging equipment through Leviton. Prius Plug-In owners won't have to buy a charger at all if they don't want to since the Prius Plug-In recharges in 3 hours. But it does sound like Toyota dealers will be purchasing their charging equipment through Leviton. Leviton currently has some very competitvely-priced chargers available (starting at $1,050), but there is no word on pricing for the "custom Toyota charger". Full press releases from both Leviton and Toyota below. Leviton

Leviton Selected by Toyota as a Provider of Electric Vehicle Charging Solutions New vehicle charger offers enhanced performance with ease-of-use Melville, New York, August 10, 2011 - Leviton, a leading global manufacturer of electrical wiring devices, announced today that it has been named by Toyota as an approved Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) solutions provider. As an approved vendor, Leviton will provide EVSE to both consumers and dealerships for Toyota’s Prius Plug-In Hybrid and RAV4 EV models coming to market in 2012. The custom Toyota electric vehicle charger, built off of Leviton’s existing EVSE line of products, gives Toyota customers a safe and reliable solution when charging their Prius Plug-In Hybrid or RAV4 EV. “Toyota and Leviton are two companies that share a core set of values that focus on safety, customer service and the vision to build a sustainable future by offering a portfolio of green solutions,” said Michael Mattei, Vice President and General Manager for Leviton’s Commercial and Industrial Business Unit. “Leviton is committed to providing an industry-leading portfolio of EV charging solutions, designed and developed in the United States, for residential consumers, automakers and electrical industry professionals.” “Through our relationship with Leviton, customers will have access to a full service EVSE provider that supplies a high level of customer service along with products that integrate easily into their homes and complement Toyota’s plug-in hybrid and electric vehicle offerings,” said Rick LoFaso, Toyota Corporate Manager, Marketing for Passenger Cars. Toyota’s electric vehicle charger complies with all industry standards, including the current National Electrical Code®. Assembled in the United States, they have been specifically developed to meet stringent automotive quality, product development and testing requirements and are compatible with all major automakers’ vehicles (SAE J1772TM compliant).​

Toyota:

Toyota Selects Leviton as an Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Provider Leviton’s Charging Solution Will Support Prius Plug-in and RAV4 EV Torrance, Calif., August 10, 2011 -- Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (TMS) today announced that Leviton has been selected as an approved Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) provider for Toyota customers and dealers. “Leviton provides electric vehicle charging products and a high level of customer service that will benefit both Toyota customers and dealers when the Prius Plug-in Hybrid vehicles and next generation RAV4 EV come to market in 2012,” said Rick LoFaso, TMS corporate manager, marketing for passenger cars. Toyota is the only manufacturer bringing two battery electric vehicles to the U.S. in 2012 - the RAV4 EV and the Scion iQ EV. While the RAV4 EV will be available to the public, the Scion iQ EV will be utilized for demonstration program applications only. Toyota also will bring to market in 2012 the Prius Plug-in Hybrid vehicle, which combines an extended all-electric range for shorter commutes with a conventional hybrid synergy drive for longer trips. Leviton’s support includes program management of a certified installation team and an extensive customer service center. Levitonoffers a variety of electrical vehicle supply equipment products for commercial and residential use that will offer Toyota dealers and customers an assortment of charging solutions to fit their needs. ​