Toyota Makes Zero (emissions)

The 2014 Toyota Rav4 EV

The new 2014 Toyota Rav4 EV was shown off at the Maker Faire, and it shows what exactly is possible with a lot of engineering and time to make things right.

This vehicle is oozing with commuting potential, and when you look under the hood it becomes apparent how efficient this little vehicle is when you are given access to the simplicity underneath, compared to a normal fuel-driven vehicle.

Benefits of the Rav4 EV

Toyota engineers had two years to retrofit an existing Rav4 with an all-electric system and they succeeded through the challenges creating a vehicle that comes with quite a few benefits. First of all it produces little to no pollution while running because it isn't burning fuel, sure it consumes electricity that is sometimes created by burning fuel, but it is more efficient which causes less emissions to be released into the atmosphere.

This vehicle is also much more affordable to operate because electricity is cheaper than gasoline is. You simply charge it up at home, or a charging station and then take the short trip around town while enjoying the fact that you didn't pay for a drop of gasoline to do it. Compared to other EV's on the market, the Rav4 is also quite spacious and it can easily cart around a family of 5 to their local destination.

The Downfalls

There are two major downfalls with this vehicle as well, and they are what will stop many people from picking them up. The first is that the range is 100 miles, which keeps many local destinations within reach, but you won't be taking a roadtrip in this EV anytime soon unless you are willing to track down charge stations and take significant breaks ever 100 miles. The other downfall is the charging process, which can take a few hours to complete. This is a major setback to the vehicle, but when used for local commuting it really isn't much of an issue.

Engineered for Distance

Even though the Rav4 is quite large it achieves its impressive range thanks to advanced engineering efforts. The shape of the vehicle, along with the long rear spoiler, and the special side-view mirrors cut the drag coefficient down to .30 which is lower than any other SUV in the world.

This vehicle will be an excellent option for those looking to lower commute costs, it will take some time before EV's are replacing fuel-driven vehicles for long-distance traveling.