The Rav4-EV is a full size ZEV (zero emission vehicle) and is one of +/-3000 purpose built by Toyota to meet the CARB ZEV mandate of the late 1990's. These vehicles were built by Toyota in Japan on the same assembly line as the ICE powered Rav4. The Rav4-EV was initially a lease only vehicle but was later allowed as a lease/buy-out, and then a for-sale vehicle in 2002 & 2003. It is believed that approximately 328 privately held Rav4-EVs exist throughout the United States. The original sticker price was US$42k in 2002 and standard equipment on the Rav4-EV included: heating & air conditioning, power steering, power brakes and seating for 5 passengers plus luggage. The Rav4-EV uses 24 Panasonic NiMH (Nickel-Metal Hydride) model EV-95 batteries. These units are 95AH (amp hour) rated with 10 cells per battery fitted in the sub-floor traction pack. The Rav4-EV uses a Magne Charge SPI (small paddle inductive) off-board charger originally developed by General Motors for the Impact & EV1 electric vehicle programs. The Magne Charge system is supplied by a 208-240 single phase 40 amp circuit and makes use of 27 amps at peak use. The Rav4-EV has an AC 3 phase traction motor coupled to a differential and direct drive axles. Forward and reverse directional movement is electronically controlled without the use of a transmission and the Rav4-EV is a full sized highway capable vehicle with speeds governed to 78 mph. This vehicle also has two levels of electronic regeneration, an “EB” button (electronic braking) on the shift column and a “B” (braking) position on the shift mechanism. The vehicle’s electronic components were manufactured by TMC (Toyota Motor Corporation) and their subsidiaries. The Rav4-EV has a curb weight of 3,500 lbs. vs. its ICE brethren at 2,700 lbs. The Rav4-EV also has electric powered heating & air conditioning configured from a heat pump design to reduce energy consumption. There is also heated front driver and passenger seating. A DC/DC converter provides supplemental 12v accessory power (13.7v nominal)and a auxiliary 12v battery which is used to power the systems for start-up. Gauges include MPH, SOC (state of charge), voltage and various other indicators. The collection's particular Rav4-EV has an aftermarket Palm TX coupled with Rav4-INFO software which displays additional information in digital detail including a wide range of electronic information. The original equipment tires came in two LRR (low rolling resistance) varieties, a 1) Yokohama and a 2) Bridgestone brand both inflated to 50psi nominal. The best source for Rav4-EV information + questions and answers is at: www.evnut.com |
2002 Toyota Rav4-EV - ZEV - BEV
Zero Emissions Electric Vehicle
Battery Electric Vehicle
Battery Electric Vehicle
| BEV designed by Toyota - total production = +/- 3,000 |
Powered by 24 15v nominal (NiMH) Panasonic EV-95 batteries
| Vehicle Description -- pictures below -- |
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1996 and we two door,
conductively charged
units. These early
cars can be identified
by the front fender
charge port , the
traction park
emergency
disconnect location in
the rear footwell in
later models) and the
traction pack cooling
fans being forward
located (rather then
the later rear
integrated locations
conductively charged
units. These early
cars can be identified
by the front fender
charge port , the
traction park
emergency
disconnect location in
the rear footwell in
later models) and the
traction pack cooling
fans being forward
located (rather then
the later rear
integrated locations