With the E-Four Hybrid model already on sale, would the addition of the PHEV RAV4 make sense for Toyota?

As part of TSAM’s new energy vehicle (NEV) roll-out plan, the Japanese automaker has opted to import several PHEV RAV4 models into South Africa to serve as a platform for market research, vehicle behaviour, infrastructure requirements and other technical aspects related to electrified vehicles.

Toyota state: “The purpose of this pilot programme is to allow Toyota South Africa to provide our customers with a holistic (and tested) solution and continue to offer the exemplary customer service that Toyota has become renowned for.”

Globally launched in 2021, the RAV4 Plug-In model offers the same characteristics of any other PHEV on the market; cleaner efficiency associated with EVs without the existing range anxiety associated with them.

It achieves this by pairing a 2.5-litre petrol motor rated at 136kW and 227N.m while two electric motors, one on each axle, offering 134kW and 40kW respectively. The total output of the model is 225kW while a CVT transmission drives the front wheels via the petrol-powered motor.

Using the same architecture as the existing E-Four model, the PHEV RAV4 is capable of delivering AWD performance by providing electric drive to both front and rear axles. The E-Four system Intelligently switches between AWD and 2WD modes depending on usage conditions.

Powering the dual electric motor is a lithium-ion battery which supplies 18.1kW of power and is located below the passenger compartment. Battery recharging is possible with a Toyota Mode 2 and Mode 3 charging cable. Mode 2 refers to home charging which requires seven-nine hours to return the battery to maximum capacity while a fast DC charger takes only 2.5 hours when using a 32A, 6.6kW charger.

Depending on the driving mode the PHEV RAV4 is capable of going as far as 800km courtesy of regenerative braking and recharging via the petrol engine. Using electric propulsion alone, the Japanese SUV can travel 75km emissions-free. Pricing for the model is not available since Toyota South Africa has not completely committed to offering it to the public but should they decide to, it would expectedly come in around R750 000 based on the E-Four model.