Toyota Giving Back: 2013 Prius Plug-In Challenge

In light of recent allegations towards some automakers for overreaching fuel economy claims, Toyota, who has faced little if any scrutiny, is setting out to get the word out about their fuel-efficient and green Prius line while giving back. Taking place in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut is the 2013 Prius Plug-in Challenge.

2013 Prius Plug-in

Participants in the Prius Plug-in Challenge will be loaned a Prius Plug-in for 30 days, and will drive it for no less than 500 miles, or 75 per week. At the end of the thirty days, the team that achieves the best overall fuel economy will win the challenge and receive a $2,500 donation toward their organization. Second place in the challenge will receive a $1,000 donation, while third place gets $500.

The 2013 Prius Plug-in receives an estimated combined 95 MPGe or 50 MPG depending on if you use the electric or hybrid mode.

To learn more about the fuel-efficient Prius, or any other vehicle in our full line of Toyota cars, trucks, and SUVs, stop in at Toyota of Concord today! Don’t forget to check us out on the web at www.toyotaofconcord.com.

Toyota Prius Plug-In Flies off Lots – Third Fastest-Selling Car in April

2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In

Cars.com released their results of studies of car sales trends for March and April, and the Toyota Prius Plug-in was in the top three fastest-selling cars for both months.

The average time a new 2012 or 2013 model car spent on any car lot, from arrival until final purchase, was 45 days in April, up from 41 days in March. However, this is still a better national average than April last year, which found cars lingering for 48 days.

But not the Toyota Prius. 

The 2012 Prius Plug-in gathers no dust, leaving lots in an average just five days, topped only by the 2013 BMW X3 and 2013 BMW X5, which both cycle in four days. The 2012Toyota Prius c follows closely with a seven-day turnover time.

The Toyota Prius has outsold its class competitors, the Chevy Volt and the Nissan Leaf, in both months, and sales are expected to grow as long as supply can meet demand.

Moral of the story? Don’t wait to get yours, because they don’t hang around long, and you don’t want to miss out!

Toyota RAV4 EV Revealed

Toyota has introduced the all-new ToyotaRAV4 EV at the annual Electric Vehicle Symposium in Los Angeles.

In 2010, Toyota Motor Corporation and Tesla Motors agreed to develop an all-electric version of the RAV4 by 2012. Combining the EV technology knowledge of Tesla and the engineering, manufacturing and production expertise of Toyota, they were able to realize that in less than half the time of the in typical industry 5-year development cycle.

Bob Carter, group vice president and general manager of the Toyota division, said “The all-new RAV4 EV marries the efficiency of an EV with the versatility of a small SUV – in fact, it is the only all-electric SUV on the market.”

This Toyota RAV4 EV has an expected driving range rating of around 100 miles and charging time of approximately six hours on a 240V/40A charger. The driving performance, dynamics and cargo capacity are equal to or better than the gas powered RAV4 V6. Maximum output from the electric powertrain is 154 HP (115kW) @ 2,800 rpm. 

Toyota’s approved electric vehicle equipment provider, Leviton, offers varying charging options. The shortest charge time of approximately six hours is achieved with a custom 240V (Level 2), 40A, 9.6 kW output charging station. The RAV4 EV comes equipped with a 120V (Level 1) emergency charging cable for when Level 2 charging is unavailable. The battery warranty is 8 years or 100,000 miles.

The RAV4 EV will go on sale only in the select California markets of Sacramento, San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles/Orange County and San Diego in late summer 2012. Toyota expects to sale in around 2,600 units in the next three years, compared to the 15,000 gas-powered RAV4s it sold last month alone.

The most expensive gas-powered Toyota Rav4 is base priced at less than $29,000, while the EV will go for $49,800 each, but will come with features like heated seats and an eight inch touch-sensitive computer screen. That price is also before the $7,500 federal tax credit for purchasing a plug-in vehicle and the $2,500 state tax credit.


(Toyota RAV4 EV photo courtesy of Toyota UK)