The second coming of the Toyota RAV4 EV took center stage at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show as the company unveiled a production version of the vehicle they expect to hit showrooms in 2012. The new RAV4 EV is a result of the growing collaboration between electric car startup Tesla Motors and Toyota—a relationship that has evolved quickly over the past year.

The vehicle shown at the LA Auto Show—a current model RAV4 converted to all-electric by Tesla—represents a rehashing of old feelings that RAV4 EV drivers from the California zero emissions mandate of a decade ago. Jim Lentz, President of Toyota Motor Sales USA, harkened back to the old days in his remarks. "Fourteen years ago, Toyota staged a press conference, right here at the LA Convention Center to unveil its latest battery-electric vehicle the RAV4-EV," he said. Lentz went on to say, "In the six years of its run, Toyota was able to lease or sell, only 1,484 RAV4-EVs. Enthusiasts loved it. Mainstream buyers, not so much."

Lentz acknowledged that "much has changed in the last few years," adding that there is a more heightened level of awareness and understanding now that "sustainable mobility will come at a cost that must be shared by the automakers, government and the consumer."

The Tesla and Toyota Collaboration Gets Deeper
The process that Toyota and Tesla have developed together to quickly bring this vehicle to market represents a major departure from Toyota’s usual methodology. "In my 28 years with Toyota, I consider our collaboration with Tesla a unique project," said Lentz. "When we decided to work together on the RAV4-EV, President Toyoda wanted to adopt a new development model that incorporated Tesla’s streamlined, quick-action approach. The result was a new decision-and-approval process and a development style that our engineers refer to as 'fast and flexible.' It is a model that has helped reduce development time without compromising product quality."

When the new RAV4 EV begins assembly in 2012, the empty shell of a body will be built in Toyota's existing RAV4 manufacturing facility in Canada and many of the powertrain components will be built by Tesla at their new manufacturing facility in Fremont, Calif.—which happens to be an old Toyota factory. Yet when it comes to final marriage of the powertrain and body, the two companies have yet to come to an agreement.

In a post-unveiling interview, Tesla's CEO Elon Musk, said he would like to see the final assembly happen at the new Tesla factory. "We are hopeful that the final installation of the powertrain will be in Fremont at the former NUMMI facility," he said. "I think that would be kind of cool, but clearly that's a Toyota decision." We’ll be watching closely to see how it plays out, and when an all-electric RAV4 might show up at dealerships.

Toyota RAV4 EV

Toyota RAV4 EV