2012 Toyota RAV4 EV will "definitely be sold to the general public"

Autoblog Staff — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Toyota, Electric

Recent reports, including ours, have incorrectly stated the 2012 RAV4 EV will only be sold to fleet and car sharing organizations. Though we now know that's not true, we'd like to set the record straight by quoting an official response from Toyota about the inaccurate reports:

The 2012 RAV4 EV will definitely be sold to the general public. We anticipate robust public interest in the RAV4 EV and are keen to inform consumers that their future vehicle options include a battery electric Toyota.

Toyota is the only manufacturer bringing two battery electric vehicles to the market in 2012 - the RAV4 EV and the Scion iQ EV. While the RAV4 EV will be available to the public, the Scion iQ EV will be marketed to fleet and car sharing programs only.

So, perhaps a model name mix-up triggered the erroneous reports? Either way, we're glad that the all-electric crossover will be available for retail sale. Thirsty for more details on the electric RAV4? Check out Autoblog Green's quick spin of the prototype RAV4 EV.

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Toyota officially confirms 2012 launch of electric Scion iQ

Autoblog Staff — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Technology

Scion iQ - Click above for high-res image gallery

During a recent dealer meeting held by Toyota in Las Vegas, the Japanese automaker reconfirmed that the launch of the Prius V is still on track for this fall, that the Prius C will be headed our way in early 2012 and that the electric RAV4, along with the plug-in Prius, are coming sometime next year, as well.

But it was Toyota's confirmation that the electric Scion iQ will hit U.S. dealerships in 2012 that caught us by surprise. Why's that? Prior to this announcement, Toyota had not officially committed to a launch date for the electrified iQ. Now, it seems, the all-electric Scion iQ will be America-bound in less than 18 month's time.

Toyota's electrified minicar, with its estimated range of 50 miles, will face fierce competition from vehicles like the 73-mile rated Nissan Leaf, 85-mile "best case range scenario" Mitsubishi i, and, if Think Global survives bankruptcy, its 100-mile rated City electric. With electric vehicles already having been condemned for not hitting advertised range ratings, one has to wonder if Scion's electric will be a success in the States. Of course, the battery-powered Scion iQ's MSRP has yet to be announced and the vehicle's price is sure to influence potential buyers one way or the other.

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Toyota officially confirms 2012 launch of electric Scion iQ originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Jul 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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