Hybrid RAV4 coming?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jerry P @ Sep 5 2006, 08:39 PM) [snapback]314442[/snapback]</div>

I have a friend who is GM of a large Toyota dealer here, and he was recently running through a list of upcoming models for release in Australia soon in converation with me.
A hybrid RAV4 was one of those upcoming models. If we are getting them, then surely the US market should.

 

Sure you're not thinking of the electric RAV EV that was discontinued a few years ago?



I'm with one of Southern California's largest Toyota dealerships and haven't heard of a new generation hybrid RAV4 to date as being in the works.

 

I'd much rather see a Hybrid Rav4, then the "put me to sleep" Highlander!

 

An electric RAV? Can we call it the REV? The REVO? The RAVE?

 

the rav was so nice... then they had to make it all bloated and huge looking...

we considered one for like a week until i decided i'd feel weird driving any kind of suv in any form.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hyo silver @ Sep 5 2006, 12:55 PM) [snapback]314707[/snapback]</div>

Just plain boring Rav4EV.



Gosh, if a hybrid Rav4 were offered, we'd be one tiny step closer to where we were... TEN YEARS ago! Production on these began in 1996.

 

A RAV 4 hybrid? I would love it. When I bought the Prius, I told my son I would only trade the Prius for a RAV 4 hybrid. I really would like something with higher ground clearance. Not that I don't love Lola. I might like to have one of each.

 

I read an article a while ago that said Toyota plans to have a hybrid version of every vehicle in their line-up by 2010.

Their web site isn't quite that specific:
"In a major company initiative, Toyota is working to expand the reach of Hybrid Synergy Drive®. New announcements are to come, and hybrid enthusiasts will be pleased to know that all classes of cars, SUVs and trucks could work with Hybrid Synergy Drive®. Toyota has a great stake in the future of hybrids, and Hybrid Synergy Drive® is central to Toyota's long-term vision."

So that's a definite maybe.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(CMonster @ Sep 6 2006, 10:07 AM) [snapback]315121[/snapback]</div>

I've seen lots of articles saying that Toyota has promised a hybrid version of every vehicle.

However, the only official Toyota Press Release I've seen says they promise a Hybrid in every SEGMENT which is an entirely different thing.

I've been wondering for some time if there isn't a disconnect here somewhere.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Sep 5 2006, 04:08 PM) [snapback]314740[/snapback]</div>

Can you get to Yosemite from where you live with the EV?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Sep 5 2006, 05:08 PM) [snapback]314740[/snapback]</div>

Now Darell,

You're gloating again.......

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jim1eye @ Sep 6 2006, 02:44 PM) [snapback]315426[/snapback]</div>

I find that if I'm too subtle, I get ignored.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(burritos @ Sep 6 2006, 02:23 PM) [snapback]315413[/snapback]</div>

I can if I stop to charge in Oakdale. There are chargers in Yosemite once you arrive.

This same car with modern batteries would easily make it there on one charge.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Sep 6 2006, 07:40 PM) [snapback]315473[/snapback]</div>

The batteries in the RAV4 EV are 65 Wh/kg.

The batteries in the current Prius are 46 Wh/kg.

But Sony LiIons are at 220 Wh/kg, which would increase the range of the RAV4 EV from 100 miles to 340 miles (the 300 mile range Tesla is an example of this principle in action).

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(clett @ Sep 7 2006, 06:00 AM) [snapback]315627[/snapback]</div>

Dell and Apple laptop recalls anybody?
Those laptop LiIon batteries are made by Sony by the way.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ScottY @ Sep 7 2006, 11:58 AM) [snapback]315743[/snapback]</div>

Please see here:

http://www.valence.com/SafetyVideo.asp

and here:

http://www.a123systems.com/html/tech/safety.html

Previous generations of LiIon (such as the Dell recalled ones) have revolved around cobalt based electrodes. There is no doubt that these can cause spectacular fires!

However, phosphate based electrodes (like the ones above) are inherently safe. You can burn, pierce, crush, short, overcharge, whatever this type of LiIon and they don't catch fire.

As an added bonus, the phosphate electrodes are cheaper and non-toxic than the cobalt ones, and the A123 batteries can do amazing tricks like recharge to full in 5 minutes while lasting 10s of thousands of cycles.

Before anyone asks, YES, you can buy A123 batteries today and YES there is already a converted Prius on the roads testing these for PHEV use.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(clett @ Sep 7 2006, 12:15 PM) [snapback]315752[/snapback]</div>

Yes, I know about automative LiIon batteries. But when you mention Sony LiIon batteries, the laptop recalls come to people's minds.