Tesla to build all-electric RAV4 for Toyota (and maybe a supercar, too)

The all-electric RAV4 is set to make a comeback. But this time around Tesla Motors is going to provide the electric powerplant, rather than Toyota themselves. In fact, Tesla might even be doing the bulk of the assembling if this CNN Money report is correct.

Toyota announced that the Japanese auto maker planned to invest $50 million into Tesla after a successful initial public offering. That took place a couple weeks back on June 29 and this is the first we’re seeing from the investment.


This isn’t the first all-electric plug-in RAV4. Toyota produced the first model back in the ’90s and in fact some are still running around the streets. The one embedded about is part of the fleet is still used by Southern California Edison Electric Vehicle Technical Center.

The RAV4 has changed a bit since that model, though. The model is on its 3rd generation platform and is significantly more bulky. It’s longer, taller and weighs a good amount more. The original model was based on a Corolla platform and could be considered a micro SUV. Not anymore.

However, the larger build might help Tesla more than it hurts. It might be heavier than other Tesla models, but the larger platform probably provides more space and better suspension for the heavy liquid cooled lithium ion battery packs. The first batch of is supposed to hit before the year’s end with the model being widely for the 2012 model year.