Local Toyota Technical Center designs new all-electric RAV4 with Tesla Motors

According to a report from the Ann Arbor Journal, engineers at the Toyota Technical Center in Ann Arbor Township have teamed up with electric carmaker Tesla Motors to develop a RAV4 Electric Vehicle that will go on sale in California late this summer.

The technical center is increasing its role in vehicle design and engineering; it was responsible for the design and engineering of the 2013 Toyota Avalon earlier this year. The center also announced earlier this year its intention to hire an additional 150 engineers to keep up with its increased responsibilities.

The new vehicle was unveiled at a conference in Los Angeles in May. The project, initiated by Toyota’s president two years ago, combines a battery and electric powertrain designed by Tesla with the RAV4 compact SUV model. The new car will be built at a Toyota Canadian plant.

According to the Journal’s story, the new RAV4 EV will have the longest EPA estimated driving range rating of any non-luxury electric vehicle.

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Ben Freed covers business for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at 734-623-2528 or email him at benfreed@annarbor.com. Follow him on twitter @BFreedinA2