This All-Electric Toyota RAV4 Existed Before Tesla Was a Thing, Still Runs and Charges

A little-known thing is that Toyota started playing with electric motors sometime in the late '60s.
That early enlightenment could also be what drove Toyota to be one of Tesla's most serious partners.
Toyota and Tesla have quite a beautiful friendship story. 

The Asian automaker helped the aspiring American brand get its operations going before and after its 2010 stock market debut.

Mercedes-Benz owner Daimler invested quite considerably in Tesla in 2009 by acquiring a 10 percent stake. 

It conditioned its financial support on the young EV maker's public debut.

The auto brands collaborated and brought forward a Rav4 with the first Model S powertrain .

They wanted to test it on the Corolla, but the battery and motors were a bit too heavy. 

Even Lexus' RX was considered for total electrification, but they didn't go through with it.

(Photo: autoevolution)

The first Toyota Rav4 appeared in 1994 in Japan. 
It also debuted in China but was known as the Guangtong GTQ6440 because of a joint venture the automaker had up and running there. 

Two years later, it joined American shores.

But something happened in 1997. Toyota decided to completely electrify the Rav4.

(Photo: DelicaFan on Cars&Bids)

It had a 27-kWh nickel-metal hydride battery pack (24 12-volt cells) that fed one electric motor placed on the front axle that developed 67 hp and 140 lb-ft of torque (190 Nm). 

It needed around 18 seconds to reach 60 mph (97 kph) and had an EPA-rated range of 95 miles (153 kilometers).

It weighed 3,440 lb (1,560 kg) and measured 156.7 in (3,980 mm) in length, 66.7 in (1,694 mm) in width, 64.4 in (1,636 mm) in height, and had a wheelbase of 94.9 in (2,410 mm).

(Photo: DelicaFan on Cars&Bids)

(Photo: DelicaFan on Cars&Bids)

Ref: This All-Electric Toyota RAV4 Existed Before Tesla Was a Thing, Still Runs and Charges 
(autoevolution)

 Photo Credit:  autoevolution, DelicaFan on Cars&Bids