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Extended test drive of Toyota RAV4 EV
- Thread starter ChrisHenryOC
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- Electric Vehicles
There was some coaching on the basics of the screens, but not a lot. The sales rep had attended an hour-long course on the car and had previously test-driven one. That said, he is very much an ICE guy that is working to be more familiar with EVs, and there were areas that I was already more informed than him. This isn't a knock on him, but I've test-driven a Model S, a Nissan Leaf, a Chevy Volt, and the Focus Electric, as well as obsessing about EVs in general for a while now. There are a number of little detail questions I'd like to get some answers to, but finding knowledgable people at the local dealership has been a challenge. As an example, a sales rep at the Huntington Beach Toyota dealership told me that she didn't think the Rav4EV would be for sale in California.
For me, it's a buy, not a lease. I'm hoping that this is a vehicle that lasts for many years, and an outright purchase makes a lot more sense for me. With my Model S refund, the sale of my wife's 2005 Prius, some other savings, and the tax credits, I'm hoping to only end up financing about 23k on long term financing. (I understand that I won't get the federal credit until I file my 2012 taxes).
Talked to the wife tonight and she's on board with the purchase as well. I think we might be full-steam ahead here! :biggrin:
If you call around, there are dealerships that have them in stock right now. No need to go onto a waiting list. I got an email from the Tustin Toyota dealership and they have one of the blue ones in stock for sale.
palmer_md
Member
You're better off here. I did the same thing, and only found this http://www.myrav4ev.com/forum/ with only 8 members and pretty much no conversation going on. Where are all the other 60 some people who bought one in September?
Back in the days of the old RAV4EV, a good chunk of sales and leases were from two dealers:
Toyota of Hollywood & Toyota of Palo Alto.
Basically they had one dealership handling most of LA, and one handling most of SF bay area.
(Sure there were more, but I think those 2 were the most vocal)
So we are back in "limited availability", "limited release" with the new RAV4EV, and I see special stuff (like the Rental) happening in SoCal.
So, I went over to Toyota Palo Alto to check how they are doing. They just built a new showroom and I assumed that the RAV4EV would be featured there. Well, disappointment. The sales guys said "no one rents a RAV4EV, and we can't even let you test drive one."
I showed them this thread so at least they know the rental is real, but they really don't seem to be doing much to get more people into this car.
(They did mention that they have sold a few though, but I think those must have been pushy customers that demanded to be sold one.)
I think Toyota is doing more with charge-to-charge than the individual dealers are doing.
My guess is that many dealerships just see this as a fleet sales opportunity...
Toyota of Hollywood & Toyota of Palo Alto.
Basically they had one dealership handling most of LA, and one handling most of SF bay area.
(Sure there were more, but I think those 2 were the most vocal)
So we are back in "limited availability", "limited release" with the new RAV4EV, and I see special stuff (like the Rental) happening in SoCal.
So, I went over to Toyota Palo Alto to check how they are doing. They just built a new showroom and I assumed that the RAV4EV would be featured there. Well, disappointment. The sales guys said "no one rents a RAV4EV, and we can't even let you test drive one."
I showed them this thread so at least they know the rental is real, but they really don't seem to be doing much to get more people into this car.
(They did mention that they have sold a few though, but I think those must have been pushy customers that demanded to be sold one.)
I think Toyota is doing more with charge-to-charge than the individual dealers are doing.
My guess is that many dealerships just see this as a fleet sales opportunity...
Remember that the Model S is only $7,500 more. Which is a lot, but you get more range. A much nicer interior. And a bit more performance. And there are people out there that hate SUVs/Trucks/Crossovers because they sit up high. Well there is at least one person.
I have found 1 major drawback for the Rav4 EV comparing it to the S40 kw. CHARGING!!
The only connector that Toyota supplies is a 120V portable J1772 connector. (I will post photos later) It is woefully slow, taking a whopping 44 hours to charge the 40 kw battery (standard charge). There is no 240v portable option available. It charges fine with my converted TS-70 from Clipper creek using all 10 kw it is able and charging in 4 hours, but it severely limits your options when charging is needed away from your home base.
Example: I wanted to do a trip from San Luis Obispo to King City. 89 miles, and doable in the Rav 4 EV one way, charging there, and returning. There is only (1) J1772 EVSE in King City! If it is inoperable, or occupied, I am stuck there. If a Nema 14-50 to J1772 portable EVSE were available there are several options that I could charge at.
The only connector that Toyota supplies is a 120V portable J1772 connector. (I will post photos later) It is woefully slow, taking a whopping 44 hours to charge the 40 kw battery (standard charge). There is no 240v portable option available. It charges fine with my converted TS-70 from Clipper creek using all 10 kw it is able and charging in 4 hours, but it severely limits your options when charging is needed away from your home base.
Example: I wanted to do a trip from San Luis Obispo to King City. 89 miles, and doable in the Rav 4 EV one way, charging there, and returning. There is only (1) J1772 EVSE in King City! If it is inoperable, or occupied, I am stuck there. If a Nema 14-50 to J1772 portable EVSE were available there are several options that I could charge at.
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Yes, the clipper Creek (first one) appears to be about 40% faster for 120v charging and would be better (29 hours vs 44), but they still need a 240 V option like Tesla has with the UMC.
If you could get your hands on a model S UMC for $500(tesla's price for an extra one for model S owners), it would be very easy to covert it to from a TS2 to J1772 end. All of the signaling is the same, and the pinout diagrams are readily available. The only catch would be getting Tesla to sell you one before taking delivery of a Model S.
I bought an EV Link t Home Depot for $750 and originally hardwired it to the wall. I have a converted VW convertible and just took delivery of a RAV4 EV to replace my Toyota Highlander. Now that I have the RAV I will need more charging options so I am in the process of rewiring the EV Link to be powered through an extension cord. I can then take it with me and move it to different parts of my garage to charge either car. I am trying to find 8 GA cable and related plugs. Those things are not readily available at the local HD or Lowes so I am hitting to local electrical supply house on Monday
I took some screen shots of the remote applications for the Rav4 EV I picked up last night I thought everyone would enjoy.
Below is the menu available from my I phone 4S
Charging application shows range, battery state, remaining charge time, and allows delayed charge setting. When not actively charging the remaining charge time changes to time to be finished charging to allow a delayed charge. It takes about 1 minute to connect to the car and begin the display.
Remote activation of the environmental controls has a 15 minute timeout when activated.
Charge station maps leaves a little to be desired, I prefer regargo, or plug share.
GPS showing where your car is works perfectly and is extreemly accurate.
An ecology Dashboard shows how green you are driving!
Below is the menu available from my I phone 4S
Charging application shows range, battery state, remaining charge time, and allows delayed charge setting. When not actively charging the remaining charge time changes to time to be finished charging to allow a delayed charge. It takes about 1 minute to connect to the car and begin the display.
Remote activation of the environmental controls has a 15 minute timeout when activated.
Charge station maps leaves a little to be desired, I prefer regargo, or plug share.
GPS showing where your car is works perfectly and is extreemly accurate.
An ecology Dashboard shows how green you are driving!
