Toyota EVs closer to volume production

Volume production of the electric iQ and RAV4 models is around a year away.

Toyota are still not as convinced as other manufacturers that pure electric power for every type of vehicle represents the way ahead. It does, however, see a market for small, urban cars where the limited range of the lithium-ion battery is less of an issue.

At Geneva it is showing the electric version of the iQ, now almost at the production, rather than concept stage. The prototype has a range of 65 miles on a full charge and a maximum speed of 78mph. A 47kW permanent magnet synchronous electric motor drives the front wheels, powered by an 11kWh, 270V lithium-ion battery located beneath the seats. Clever use of a new, flat battery design, occupying space usually taken up by the iQ’s flat fuel tank, means there is no deterioration in cabin space.

The electric iQ recharges in four hours with a fast-charge option of 80% in just 15 minutes.

It goes into field trials in Europe, the USA and Japan this year and will be released for sale in 2012.

Second generation RAV4

Given Toyota’s antipathy towards battery electric vehicles other than small ones, the company’s arrangement with Tesla – to put an electric drivetrain in the second generation RAV4 – came as a surprise when it was first announced. Ahead of sales commencement in 2012, Toyota is building 35 units for demonstration and evaluation this year – with the aim of a real-world range of 100 miles.

The Toyota Technical Centre in Michigan is leading the programme, which is designed to reduce development time without compromising product quality. Tesla is responsible for building and supplying the battery and related components, meeting Toyota specifications for performance, quality and durability. Toyota is integrating the powertrain into the new vehicle.

Toyota is known to be putting significant resources behind the search for a successor to the lithium-ion battery – and it may just be that the liaison with Tesla will give it first-hand experience down that line of research.

Toyota and the charging point infrastructure

Toyota is taking another interesting step announced at Geneva. The company is collaborating with Nissan, Mitsubishi, Fuji Heavy Industries and Tokyo Electric Power Company to promote the rapid development of a quick-charge infrastructure for worldwide installation. Already more than 300 businesses and government bodies have taken up membership, including car makers, utility companies, charger manufacturers and charging service providers.

The Renault-Nissan Alliance will bring with it significant experience in rolling out an infrastructure and this grouping will present a formidable challenge to the Americans and Europeans already in this field