Archive for the ‘Tesla Motors’ Category

This week, Toyota revealed a historic achievement: the 2012 RAV4 EV all-electric crossover, the first mass-produced electric SUV in the world. Toyota announced this vehicle was coming back in 2010, and the company had partnered with Tesla Motors to develop appropriate technology. Now that the unveiling has happened, car bloggers everywhere are buzzing with details surrounding the SUV. The news for Gresham Toyota is exciting, but underneath it all people are asking: is America ready for a Toyota electric SUV?

After releasing the plug-in Prius, Toyota proved it wasn’t going to stay content with simple hybrids. As a leader in automotive innovation, it surprised few people that the company planned to release an electric version of the RAV4. It also isn’t surprising that the RAV4 EV will be the most aerodynamic SUV and have an impressive electric range of 100 miles. Even with all of that accolade, though, many wonder if it will be received as well as the Prius.

Toyota seems to be wondering, too. With its unveiling came an announcement that the vehicle would only be sold at first in California—and that only 2,600 would be produced in the first three years. With a $50,000 price tag (before government tax incentives, which are significant), this isn’t a bad strategy. As popular as electric cars are in automotive news, they remain pretty scarce throughout most of the country. Until more states build the infrastructure to support charging stations, an electric SUV wouldn’t be as sensible for someone in the Midwest (yet). Here in the Northwest, we’re better prepared. Though the initial launch is a few hundred miles south of us, we Oregonians shouldn’t have to wait too long to drive the RAV4 EV all-electric crossover.

Looking for your own dependable Toyota car, truck or SUV? Check out our selection of new and used vehicles on our website 24/7 @greshamtoyota.com!

Toyota Motors in partnership with Tesla is testing lithium-ion batteries originally designed for laptops in the next generation of Electric Vehicles reports an interesting Delaware online article. Costing less than the bigger car only batteries, these batteries could be the key to reducing new EV car sticker prices.

It may lead to the total component cost of an electric car getting lower than a gasoline car… and more likelihood that retail prices of electric cars will drop. – Koji Endo, a Tokyo-based analyst at Advanced Research Japan.

A cluster of 6,831 Panasonic battery cells helps to power Tesla’s super powerful high end roadster which boasts a 245 mile per charge range.

The use of rechargeable consumer electronics batteries may help cut manufacturing costs and sticker prices, which led manufacturers of lithium-ion laptops batteries to project tripled sales over the next decade.

Sales of EV and hybrid cars, including the new plug-in cars will total over 900,000 vehicles in 2011.

Looking for an innovative Toyota car? We have a great selection of new and used vehicles on our website 24/7 @ greshamtoyota.com!

Tesla Motors is a manufacturer of electric automobiles and on July 19th, 2006 Tesla introduced the first ever Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) that did 0 to 60 in 3.7 seconds and could travel over for 300 miles before having to recharge. Back in May of this year, Toyota announced they would be investing $50 million to develop two Toyota cars with the latest Tesla technology by 2012.

“Toyota and Tesla engineering teams have made a lot of progress in a short amount of time and it is exciting to start seeing some initial results,” Tesla Chief Technology Officer JB Straubel said in a statement.

With Toyota and Tesla teaming up, new innovations are sure to emerge.  Tesla holds over 1,400 patents for their cars and will be bringing decades of industry experience and research to the Toyota brand. We are excited to see what comes from this partnership and it’s sure to include advancements in cars that change the way we drive and live.

While we’re waiting for these cars, why not check out Gresham Toyota’s great selection of hybrids. Head on over to Gresham Toyota’s Facebook Page and like us to keep up to date on the latest industry news.

You can also browse our Internet specials for other great offers on new and pre-owned vehicles 24/7 on greshamtoyota.com.