Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. revealed the second-generation Toyota RAV4 EV at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The company said it plans to build a total of 35 vehicles for a demonstration and evaluation program through 2011. With this the company aims at market arrival of a fully-engineered vehicle in 2012.

The company noted that the demonstration vehicle is built in collaboration with Tesla. This vehicle’s battery and other related parts that met specific Toyota engineering specifications in performance, quality and durability are built and supplied by Tesla. Meanwhile Toyota developed and manufactured leadership and the seamless integration of the powertrain.

The demonstration vehicle weighs around 220 pounds, more than the current RAV4 V6. The new demonstration vehicle is currently tested using a lithium metal oxide battery with useable output rated in the mid-30 kwh range. Battery size and final output ratings, as well as pricing and volume projections of the vehicle have not been decided. Toyota said it plans to bring this new electric vehicle to market in 2012.

The basic vehicle will continue to be built at its Canadian production facility in Woodstock, Ontario. Tesla will build the battery and related parts and components at its new facility in Palo Alto, California.

Toyota has also announced that along with the arrival of the RAV4 EV in 2012 it will launch the Prius PHV (plug-in hybrid) and a small EV commuter vehicle in key global markets. The Japanese automaker also plans to launch its first commercialized hydrogen fuel cell vehicle in calendar year 2015, or sooner. By the end of 2012, Toyota will add seven all new hybrid models to its portfolio.

via toyota