Toyota Announces Electric Rav4 – Is Plug-In Hybrid Tundra On The Drawing Board?
Tim Esterdahl | May 15, 2012 | Comments 5
Toyota recently revealed an all-new Toyota RAV4 electric-powered SUV, a result of the partnership with Tesla, that took only 22 months to develop. With this new model on the market, a plug-in Hybrid Tundra should be quick to follow.
Toyota recently introduced an Electric RAV4, is a plug-in Hybrid Tundra on the horizon?
The question for Tundra owners, is a plug-in Hybrid far behind. It doesn’t seem so with this news and the fact there was an electric Tundra “mule” spotted at Tesla’s headquarters recently. That Tundra looked like it was a “proof of concept” vehicle that just needed to move some of the parts into the engine compartment to free up cargo room.
The feeling that many auto industry insiders have is that a hybrid Tundra will come to the market sometime in 2015 or 2016.
With limited range, an all-electric version of the Tundra wouldn’t be too popular with consumers, nor would it be particularly attractive to fleet buyers who can buy electric conversions of the F150 and Silverado right now. However, a plug-in electric hybrid powertrain for the Tundra seems very logical. Even if plugging in your Tundra hybrid every day only gives you 8-10 miles of all-electric cruising, the impact on fuel economy would be pretty tremendous. Considering the additional expense of a plug-in hybrid over a regular hybrid, this seems very likely (although unconfirmed with our Toyota sources).
What do you think? Will a plug-in Hybrid Tundra make sense or are you concerned about towing and power loss with an electric?
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Filed Under: Tundra News
My average round trip to a customer is 60 miles and some trips are over 400 miles. An electric with limited range would be totally useless to me.
Useless as well as for most tundra owners being useless. Who in their right mind would spend 50K on any vehicle is crazy or too rich for my blood. I think spending slightly over 30K on my 2012 tundra is pushing it and would never spend another 20K for any hybrid, not worth it at all.
I thought spending 7K extra for a prius over a corolla was crazy (yet for some practical), to spend 20K extra is down right stupid.
More study is needed before making any decision like that. As mention 50k for an electric Tundra isn’t promising. Haven’t anyone learned about the GM Volt?
The new RAV4 EV blends a Tesla designed and produced battery and standard electric power-train with Toyota’s most popular Sports Utility Vehicle model.
Plugin hybrid Tundra now please. My 2000 GMC Sierra is sucking the life out of my bank account.
And to the people saying “omg 50k for a car!”..
A) That’s for the all electric Rav 4, not a plug in hybrid Tundra. I would guest a hybrid Tundra would be in the 35-40k range.
B) Y’all must not drive very much. I spend over $400 a month on gas, as a general contractor in CA. The truck would pay for it’s self in fuel cost savings, and good PR with potential customers. Not to mention electrics have better torque than diesels. I’d buy one in a second.