Test driving the RAV4 EV today. Questions?

Will it qualify for $7,500 tax credit?

Will it get the HOV pass?

What's the tire size?

Is there preconditioning feature?

 

Also we need to know the warranty on the Tesla batteries / inverter / power train (esp in CA).

 

I saw the Rav4 EV at the auto show here last month and I was wondering where the spare tire is stored or if it even has one? The vehicle was locked and not open for looking I could not see if it was inside. There was no tire mounted on the rear door as usual on a standard Rav4. There was something under the hood not sure if it was a battery pack or not though. Maybe they should call it the Rav2 EV since it is only FWD?

You are correct a EV or Hybrid Venza would be great. The wife wanted a Venza bad, but since I would be the primary driver I chose the Prius.

 

Electric Toyota RAV4 Feels Fast But Unfinished - Driver's Seat - WSJ

 

37kWh/100 miles is pretty good for a SUV since Volt is 36kWh/100 miles.

 

What does the 37kWh pack weigh?
What's it's expected life (in miles) before range degradation?
Lastly . . . . now let me get this right. The Nissan Leaf, with it's curb weight of 3,500 pounds and WAY WAY better 0.28 drag co-efficiency, gets 27 miles less range than the 1/4 ton heavier - "pushing a brick into the wind" 0.38 cd Rav4. Ok. I know I didn't just pass wind, but something smells ... so it must be those numbers.

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That is one ugly, dull looking vehicle.!

 

Comparing apples & oranges,

One is the battery capacity - the other is the rated kwh/100 miles at the wall after including some fudge factor.

 

Rav4 ev number is not the EPA number - and it has a much bigger battery. 37kwh battery will probably push after tax credit price near $40K.

 

Will it be available nationwide at introduction?

In more than one configuration? (e.g., nav, non-nav)

With PCS?

 

So why not buy a wagon or something?

 

in 2009 toyota was hinting that the rav4 would be a hybrid.


was there any mention of a gas/electric hybrid?

 

That's what the Prius v is.

 

Danny still hasn't answered our questions. Has anyone heard from him? I think Toyota-Tesla kept him for testing. They're probably running the poor guy through all kinds of tests and interrogation right now.

This better produce better cars!!!

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You are correct I do not recall seeing one without the tire on the rear door before though.

I took this blurb below from the Toyota Rav4 web page. I guess the current production model with the Appearance Package that is not the Rav4 EV is equipped with run flats. It is probably safe to assume that the Rav4 EV has run flats on it also.

Appearance Package (V6 4WD and 4-cylinder models only) [6] -- includes unique rear door with chrome accents, run-flat tires, unique RAV4 and Sport badging, stainless steel exhaust tip, color-keyed power heated outside mirrors with turn signal indicators and folding feature, clear rear step bumper protector, chrome-accented shift lever with leather inlay, chrome interior door handles, chrome parking brake tip and vent trim and unique doorsill covers

 

Run flat tires... explains it all. I prefer a spare.

 

Danny, one other very important question - will I ever meet a tall . . . dark . . . handsome . . . oh wait, wrong forum

 

The Volt number includes charging losses.