cwerdna said:
Thanks! That's too bad you have to QC as part of your commute now.
That's interesting that you still have all your capacity bars. And, yeah, I'm beginning to wonder what's up w/the lack of battery price now. I'd start a poll for people to make guesses as to when Nissan will release the price, but can't since I'm not a paying member.
I suppose you could get a Rav4 EV shipped to you and you'll be the guinea pig for probably quickly being the highest mileage Rav4 EV.
Well, you could do the complete 126 mile round trip with a Rav4. The typical range with no heater is 3.4 miles per kWh * 41.8kWh usable = 142 miles range at 65mph (level dry road, no wind, no heater).
As the battery degrades, you would need to either charge at work or slow down. If you run the heater, or the battery is cold and the TMS is heating it, you'll also need to slow down or charge at work. The same issues with the cabin heater apply, since it uses exactly the same Denso 6kW resistance heater as the LEAF (except 2013 "SL" and "SV" models which have a heat pump).
There is no quick charger on the Rav4, but it will charge at 28 miles per hour at 40 amps on 240 volts. You can go drive any 2007-2012 oil burner Rav4 to get an idea of the car itself. There are very few changes for the EV version. Also, there are several Rav4 EV's in western Washington.
Some big pluses; you can precondition the battery so that the battery is warmed up for your winter trips, virtually eliminating winter battery losses. It comes with all season tires, and great ground clearance for snow. It has more power, size, acceleration and range than a LEAF.
Currently, prices are $51k, minus $10k from Toyota with 0%, plus $7500 fed tax credit, plus up to $4000 dealer discount, plus no sales tax in Washinton.
Net price with shipping to your house is about $30k.
http://www.buyatoyota.com/Specials/SpecialOffers.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Until June 3, 2013:
Applies to 2012 model year RAV4 EV only.
No current offer for 2013 model year Rav4 EV on the website, however it is believed now that there is $9,500 SoCal / $8,800 NorCal and 0% available.
The only differences in 2013 model year is a higher window sticker price, and the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) has a "D" the replaces the "C" in the 8th digit from the right. You will find the VIN through the front window, looking from the outside on the driver's side, at the bottom.
I do not expect that there will be many 2012 model year cars available after April 30, 2013.
0.0% APR for 60 months
PLUS
$10,000 SoCal /
$9,300 NorCal Finance Cash from Toyota (they call it "subvention", so you still pay sales tax on it in California... your jurisdiction may vary)
Includes Toyota Care, Free maintenance for 2 years.
$2000 - $4000 typical dealers discounts (
the dealers are getting 2% "holdback", and the salesperson gets $1000 from Toyota USA and the sales manager get $500... don't worry about hammering them on a good deal)
$7500 federal tax credit purchase ONLY !!! (NOTE: Toyota does not pass this credit to you on a lease - CAVEAT EMPTOR). You get this when you file
IRS form 8936 with your federal taxes. No carryovers to the following tax year, so you need to owe the IRS at least $7500 this year.
$2500 California state credit for lease or purchase;
Apply here. Obviously, out-of-state buyers don't get this, but instead you will get your state or local government incentives.
Sales tax - on an "in-state" purchase, you pay the applicable tax for your county/city. For an in state lease, you pay a "use tax" on the monthly payment. For out-of-state, you pay nothing to California with a proper Bill of Laden from a shipping company. DO NOT TAKE DELIVERY IN CALIFORNIA unless you want to pay our taxes!!! You will pay applicable taxes in your out-of-state jurisdiction.
There's a whole thread devoted to out-of-state purchases and leases.
NOTE TO ALL OUT OF STATE BUYERS:
I recommend having a local California current Rav4 EV owner test drive your car at the dealer before shipping to you out of state. My particular car had excessive motor noise from new, so it will be easy to identify the same situation before the car is shipped to you.
IF YOUR CAR IS DELIVERED WITHOUT FUNCTIONING INTERIOR LIGHTS:
A pin is located in the engine bay passenger side fuse box to activate the lights. Inside that fuse box, there is a white "fuse" without any number and that is the "pin". Under the fuse cover, there is a location labeled "short". Put the "pin" into the "short" slot and interior function like light, garage door opener, external door handle switch will be activated.