The RAV4 EV closely resembles the regular
internal combustion engine version - without
a tailpipe - and has a governed top speed of
78 mph with a range of 100 to 120 miles ).
The 95 amp-hour NiMH battery pack has a
capacity of 27 kWh, charges inductively and
has proven to be surprisingly durable. Some
RAV4 EVs have achieved over 150,000 miles on
the original battery pack. It was also one
of the few vehicles with a single speed
automatic transmission at that time.
Besides the batteries, controller and motor,
the remaining systems in the RAV4 EV are
comparable to the gas-powered RAV4, such as
power brakes, power steering, air
conditioning, tire wear and suspension
components except for the power sources
involved. The power brakes use an electric
pump to provide vacuum instead of deriving
vacuum from the engine manifold while the
power steering and air conditioning systems
use electric motors instead of mechanical
energy delivered by fan belts. The passenger
compartment heater is electrical.