The New RAV4 EV

[VolkerP]

I am embarrassed by these pics. Even with a prototype, you should address the issues of protecting vital EV parts like cables and coolant hoses. They might prevent some press member trying to take this car off-road, but what about little curious furry animals?

 

[TEG]

Having exposed wires / cables / hoses / tubes on the underside of a vehicle is not that uncommon.

But take a look at the underside of a Roadster or Model S - flat / smooth - the way it should be.

 

[dpeilow]

eBay - The UK's Online Marketplace

 

[TEG]

eBay - The UK's Online Marketplace

LOL - I knew without checking that the seller would be in Hong Kong.
They will turn anything into a knock-off logo...

(does that red 'speedometer' needle actually do anything?)

 

[GSP]

I am embarrassed by these pics. Even with a prototype, you should address the issues of protecting vital EV parts like cables and coolant hoses. They might prevent some press member trying to take this car off-road, but what about little curious furry animals?

Yes, but these vehicles are not even prototypes of a series production design. They are just "mules" or "proof of concept" vehicles. They are put together in a hurry, to get quick feedback on the concept. They are not meant to be durable or manufacturable.

The next step will be early "Alpha" prototypes.

GSP

 

[NigelM]

Video of Rav4 EV: Green Overdrive: Tesla and Toyota's EV RAV4

 

[doug]

The next step will be early "Alpha" prototypes.

I moved all that off topic pre-production stage name stuff here: Pre-production stage/vehicle names

 

[TEG]

http://ev.sae.org/article/10231/

A prototype-build of the RAV4 EV after the vehicle underwent a 35 mph (56 km/h) frontal barrier crash test at the Toyota Technical Center near Ann Arbor.

...The liquid-cooled battery pack is comprised of approximately 4000 cells arranged in series...

...The 35-unit demonstration/evaluation fleet is using a number of EV-related components that are shared with or very similar to those on the Tesla Roadster. But the production vehicle will share various EV-related components with the 2013 Tesla Model S...

...As of September 2011, TTC technical specialists had conducted 37 full vehicle crash tests for front, side, and rear impacts, as well as internal modes targeting the battery pack.
"We'll likely have 40 more vehicle tests before the start of production next year,"...

 

[Lloyd]

Anyone know if Toyota is going to be using the new Tesla charging protocol and connector? It would make sense as the battery and drive train are from Tesla.

 

[ChadS]

Anyone know if Toyota is going to be using the new Tesla charging protocol and connector?

The second to last thing I remember hearing from Toyota was that the RAV4 would include a J1772 port, but no DC options.

The last thing I remember hearing was that everything was still under consideration, and they were considering consumer input.

 

[strider]

Anyone know if Toyota is going to be using the new Tesla charging protocol and connector? It would make sense as the battery and drive train are from Tesla.

I would expect they'd use J1772 as that's what on the Prius PEHV right? That way they only have to sell/support one EVSE. The Roadster PEM is already set up for 1772 so it shouldn't add any cost for them to do it that way.

 

[Lloyd]

The second to last thing I remember hearing from Toyota was that the RAV4 would include a J1772 port, but no DC options.

The last thing I remember hearing was that everything was still under consideration, and they were considering consumer input.

It would really make sense to get Toyota to adopt this also and contribute to the DC network that Tesla is starting with their protocol. DC charging is a necessity to make the car useful on longer journeys. I may not own mine long if that is the case. Where can we give Toyota input on this issue?

Answered my own question..... anyone wanting to send Toyota input go HERE

 

[dpeilow]

I believe Toyota is a member of the CHAdeMO association, so it seems daft if they don't intend to support DC at all. Still, supporting Tesla in some markets would make sense.

 

[TEG]

...The Roadster PEM is already set up for 1772 so it shouldn't add any cost for them to do it that way.

My take is that they may stop using the Roadster PEM on the "production batch" of new RAV4EVs. But whatever charger they use, there should be other options that can interface to J1772 EVSEs.

 

[Norbert]

My take is that they may stop using the Roadster PEM on the "production batch" of new RAV4EVs. But whatever charger they use, there should be other options that can interface to J1772 EVSEs.

Roadster components were used for the prototypes. Production RAV4EVs will use Model S components.

 

[Lloyd]

Roadster components were used for the prototypes. Production RAV4EVs will use Model S components.

yes, which is what brought about my question regarding the charge port adapter. It would be advantageous for both companies to use the same connector, and share the same infrastructure!

 

[Lloyd]

Thought I would share this photo.

 

[JRP3]

yes, which is what brought about my question regarding the charge port adapter. It would be advantageous for both companies to use the same connector, and share the same infrastructure!

Except I expect J1772 to be more widespread, and you should still be able to use an adapter to plug into a Tesla charger.

 

[Norbert]

yes, which is what brought about my question regarding the charge port adapter. It would be advantageous for both companies to use the same connector, and share the same infrastructure!

That would be kind of cool. And an unexpected turn of events.

 

[VolkerP]

Thought I would share this photo.

1.21GW in a bottle?