Toyota unveils 'first all-electric SUV'

Toyota unveiled the first all-electric SUV, a version of its popular RAV4 with a top range of 100 miles and minimum six-hour charge time.

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Agence France-Presse

Mon, May 07 2012 at 6:07 PM

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Electric Vehicles

SUV: The car will be sold initially only in California with a base price of $49,800, and the Japanese car company hopes to sell a relatively modest 2,600 units over the next three years. (Photo: Toyota)

Toyota unveiled Monday what it says is the first all-electric sports utility vehicle on the market, a version of its popular RAV4 with a top range of 100 miles and minimum six-hour charge time.

The car will be sold initially only in California with a base price of $49,800, and the Japanese car company hopes to sell a relatively modest 2,600 units over the next three years.

Toyota Motor Sales USA executive Bob Carter said the company believes the car will "attract sophisticated early technology adopters, much like the first-generation Prius," Toyota's pioneering hybrid car launched 15 years ago.

"It's all about blending the best of two worlds... The all-new RAV4 EV marries the efficiency of an EV with the versatility of a small SUV -- in fact, it is the only all-electric SUV on the market," he added.

The car, which costs more than twice as much as the gas version of the RAV4 and would have difficulties with out-of-town driving for any distance, may struggle to find a mass appeal.

"It's designed for consumers who prioritize the environment and appreciate performance," said Carter, adding that the new car will go on sale later this summer in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego.

"We look forward to seeing how the market responds," he added, unveiling the car at the 26th annual Electric Vehicle Symposium in Los Angeles.