1. Sustainability
  2. Carbon Neutrality
  3. Vehicle life cycle assessments
  4. LCA: RAV4

A true EV capability

The RAV4 plug-in hybrid
We pioneered SUV electrification with the RAV4 Hybrid and have now taken performance and environmental quality to an even higher level with the new RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid. 

Life cycle thinking

When it comes to finding ways of reducing CO2 emissions, we look at a vehicle’s entire life cycle, from design and production, through customer ownership and driving to ultimate disposal and recycling. We try to develop each new model in a way that will deliver better environmental performance than its predecessor. We assess each car’s overall environmental impact in accordance with the international standard ISO 14040/44. Depending on the source of electricity used, either from fossil fuels or completely from renewable sources, an overall CO2 reduction of 25-50% and an NOx reduction of 5% can be achieved compared to the RAV4 HEV.  

A cleaner, greener drive

The RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid benefits from advanced, environmentally focused features, including its latest generation Toyota Hybrid System and lithium-ion battery. Best-in-class CO₂ emissions (22 g/km) and fuel consumption (1.0 l/100 km) show the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid has the efficiency to match its effortless performance. A new 18.1 kW lithium-ion battery means you can travel up to 75 km on pure EV power, while the car’s 6.6 kW on-board charger provides a full battery charge in 2.5 hours. It’s also the first Toyota to use a unique new heat pump system that can supply the car’s air conditioning system without drawing energy from the battery. 
  • 98
    km electric drive ability
  • 18.1 
    kW Li-on battery
  • 22 
    g/km CO2 
  • 0.98
    L/km electric drive ability

It starts at the plant

The Takaoka plant in Japan, where we produce the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid continuously implements various measures to be more environmentally efficient. A completely new, energy-saving airless paint atomizer, that uses static electricity instead of air, replaces the conventional air paint atomizers used in the vehicle body painting process since 2019. The deployment of the airless paint atomizer in Toyota’s painting process at all sites will reduce its CO2 emissions by about 7%. In addition, the new process can make painting production lines more compact. 
  • Designed for recycling 

    The RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid uses the latest version of our lithium-ion battery. It’s important that, when the vehicle reaches the end of its life, the battery is responsibly recovered and recycled. In Europe our target is to achieve a 100% battery collection rate from our retailers. Raw materials are a finite resource, so Toyota is constantly researching ways to help build a more resource-efficient economy. The RAV4 has been designed so that it is 85% recyclable, with 95% of its parts being recoverable.

  • In harmony with nature 

    The RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid production centre is actively involved in conserving the local wildlife and vegetation in collaboration with Obu City. Even the buildings play a part, with a section of the façade covered in green “living” walls. The Japanese Dandelion: is a beautiful example of the protected species.  In addition, a water habitat has been created to nurture indigenous fish species. This project helps us build interaction and environmental awareness with the local community.