In 1997, Toyota introduced the 1st generation RAV4 EV (but only since 2001 it became available to everyone) - this is an all-electric version of the popular crossover, with front-wheel drive. Due to disagreements with the company Ovonic Battery, which owns the patent for NiMH batteries, the Japanese were forced in 2003 to stop production of this "all-terrain station wagon" on electric traction, the final circulation of which was 1,484 copies.
The "first" Toyota RAV4 EV was produced in a five-door body and externally practically did not differ from the petrol counterpart. With a total length of 3980 mm, the car has a 2410 mm wheelbase, its width is 1694 mm, and its height is 1636 mm. When loaded, the electric "crossover" weighs 1560 kg.
The 1st generation RAV4 EV has some good features in its arsenal: a 50 kW (68 horsepower) electric motor that produces 190 Nm of torque and drives the wheels of the front axle through a single-stage transmission. Such "Rafik" can accelerate from 0 to 80 km / h in 12.8 seconds, and it takes 17 seconds to conquer 100 km / h. Nickel-metal-hybrid battery with a capacity of 27.4 kW • h provides the crossover with a mileage of about 208 "city" kilometers, and it takes five hours to fully charge it from the household network.
In addition to the unusual power plant and mono-drive transmission, this electric crossover does not differ from its petrol-powered counterpart: a platform from a Toyota Celica GT-Four, a monocoque body, McPherson struts on the front axle and an independent design with trailing arms at the rear, hydraulic power steering. The front wheels are equipped with disc brakes, the rear wheels are equipped with drum devices.
In 2001, the first generation Toyota RAV4 EV was offered at a price of $ 42,000, and in California it was $ 30,000. According to reports from private owners and commercial firms, the electric crossover is a reliable and unpretentious car, and the batteries serve at least 240 thousand kilometers. It should be noted that the "Japanese" is in the fleets of many celebrities, but in Russia it is impossible to meet him.
