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Confirmed: Electric RAV4 on Its Way

After we brought to you leaked info on a possible Toyota vehicle fitted with Tesla's battery packs and motors earlier this week, we are now able to confirm that Tesla and Toyota indeed agreed to initiate the development of an electric version of the RAV4.

The announcement, however, followed a similar one made in May of this year by Elon Musk and Akio Toyoda. With an aim to market the EV in the United States in 2012, prototypes will be made combining the Toyota RAV4 model with a Tesla electric powertrain.

Electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla plans to produce and deliver a fleet of prototypes to Toyota for evaluation within this year. According to Tesla, the first prototype has already been built and is now undergoing testing.

“In May, Tesla and TMC announced their intent to cooperate on the development of electric vehicles, parts, and production system and engineering support. Tesla seeks to learn and benefit from Toyota's engineering, manufacturing, and production expertise, while Toyota aims to learn from Tesla's EV technology, daring spirit, quick decision-making, and flexibility,” a company statement reads.

Toyota also plans to introduce EVs into the market by 2012. On the other hand, Tesla's goal is to produce “increasingly affordable electric cars for mainstream buyers -- relentlessly driving down the cost of EVs. California-based Tesla designs and manufactures EVs and EV powertrain components, and is currently the only automaker in the U.S. that builds and sells highway-capable EVs in serial production.”
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