Well Before Tesla’s Time, Toyota Offered An EV RAV4 And This One Just Sold For $5k

Twenty-seven years in the past, Toyota launched an all-electric model of the first-gen RAV4. It’s a automotive you’ve in all probability by no means heard of given how few examples had been constructed, however over the weekend, one RAV4 EV hit the public sale block and was offered for $5,120.

The electrical SUV was initially launched in 1997 and was initially out there solely to companies and cities wanting so as to add EVs to their fleets. In the direction of the top of its manufacturing run in 2003, Toyota began promoting the RAV4 EV to personal clients and delivered roughly 328 of them, along with round 2,200 offered to fleets.

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The unique RAV4 EV will get its juice by a 95 amp-hour nickel-metal hydride battery with a 27.4 kWh capability that’s powering a synchronous permanent-magnet motor with 67 hp and 140 lb-ft (190 Nm) of torque. The SUV had a variety of 95 miles (153 km) when it was new and took roughly 5 hours to completely cost.

This RAV4 EV was offered via Automobiles & Bids with ~74,900 miles (~120,000 km) below its belt and included a Carfax historical past report that confirms it hasn’t been concerned in any accidents. The outside has some indicators of wear and tear and tear, together with numerous scratches and minor dents however for probably the most half, it seems to have been well-maintained. It’s a comparable story within the cabin the place the material seats have lasted effectively and there are some minor indicators of use.

Toyota doesn’t at the moment have a modern-day RAV4 EV in its line-up with the closest being a plug-in hybrid model. Whoever ended up shopping for this 22-year-old RAV4 may use it as a metropolis runabout (that 95-mile vary doesn’t lend itself to lengthy journeys) that gives more room and practicality than a Nissan Leaf.