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Will Drivers Want a RAV4 EV?
Amid the growing excitement around electric vehicles, some models are flying under the radar. While Tesla continues to dominate headlines, Toyota has quietly introduced an electric SUV that closely resembles its popular RAV4. This new model, called the X Prologue, is currently available only in Europe, but it marks another step in Toyota’s long-standing involvement with electric mobility.
Few people realize that Toyota has actually launched an electric version of the RAV4 before—twice. Both times, production was short-lived, despite the RAV4's popularity and the increasing demand for EVs. Let’s take a closer look at these early electric efforts from Toyota.
The first-generation RAV4 EV hit the market in 1997 as a fleet-only vehicle, leased to cities, businesses, and utility companies. In 2002, it became available to the general public, but only 328 units were ever sold. The limited availability and lack of charging infrastructure may have contributed to its brief run.
In 2010, Toyota partnered with Tesla to develop the second-generation RAV4 EV. This collaboration involved significant investment from Toyota, including a $50 million stake in Tesla. The result was one of the first full-sized electric SUVs from Toyota, featuring a powerful motor, advanced battery technology, and impressive performance for its time.
The second-gen RAV4 EV offered up to 103 miles on a single charge, smart touch controls, and a sleek design. It had a top speed of 60 mph in just 8.6 seconds and came with features like Bluetooth connectivity and navigation. Despite these innovations, the RAV4 EV struggled with slow charging times and limited availability—only in California. Sales peaked at around 1,200 units over two years, which wasn’t enough to sustain the project.
Toyota eventually ended its partnership with Tesla in 2014 and later sold its stake in the company. The reasons behind this decision remain unclear, but many believe it was part of Toyota’s strategy to develop its own EV technologies independently.
Fast forward to today, Toyota has returned to electrification with the RAV4 Prime, a plug-in hybrid that offers 302 horsepower and is available in the U.S. Meanwhile, the X Prologue signals a renewed focus on fully electric SUVs, especially in Europe.
Whether this new model will succeed where its predecessors failed remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: Toyota has been experimenting with electric vehicles for decades, and its latest effort shows it's still learning and evolving in the EV space.