Toyota RAV4-EV – Back from the Dead

Since Toyota and Tesla announced their electric-car partnership a few months back, there’s been much anticipation as to what their first joint EV would be. Well, the wait is over and the announcement is anything but exciting. Drum roll please…a RAV4-EV.

Yup, that’s right, a RAV4-EV, just like the one Toyota killed back in 2003 due to underwhelming consumer response. By Toyota’s own admission, the old electric RAV sold less than 300 units per year, so despite massive outcry from Ed Begley Jr. and a few Silicon Valley eco-warriors, they cut the entire program.

This zombie reanimation looks like it’ll hit the streets just about the time the Chevy Volt and the Nissan Leaf. While the Volt is poised to shock the driving public with a $41K price tag and the Leaf with a less shocking $31K, the RAV4-EV comes in at a low-amperage $28K. Which means Toyota will probably the go-to manufacturer for full electrics—unless there’s a recall.