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2 Ways to Significantly Reduce Charging Times in 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime

I will show you how to maximize your 2021 RAV4 Prime charge times. It is easier than you think.
2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE Supersonic Red profile view front end

This year was an exciting year for Toyota RAV4. The wildly popular small SUV continued to outsell all competition.
RAV4 is versatile, trustworthy and fun to drive.

We also saw the launch of probably the most interesting and exciting Toyota in recent years.

Toyota RAV4 Prime.

Think about in your mind a traditional RAV4 Hybrid. Now increase its strength to 302 horsepower. Improve its 0-60 time to just 5.7 seconds. And increase its fuel efficiency to 94MPGe (gasoline + electricity combined).

Oh yeah and give it 42 miles of driving on a single electric charge (it is also very comfortable).

Today I look at three different ways to charge your RAV4 Prime.

2021 RAV4 Prime Standard Charging

A 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime is equipped with a 3.3 kW on-board charger. It can fully charge in either 12 hours or 4.5 hours depending on the charge source.

Both RAV4 Prime SE and XSE come with factory-installed 3.3 kW chargers. You can upgrade this charger with an XSE Premium Package to decrease your time even further. More on that below.

VIDEO: How to charge your Toyota RAV4 Prime

A standard 120V grounded power source like you find in your home and garage is perfectly suitable for charging your RAV4 Prime. This will fully charge in about 12 hours.

Many people choose to upgrade their at-home charging unit. This upgrades you to 240V. The benefit here significantly reduces your RAV4 Prime charging time to 4.5 hours.

Toyota RAV4 Prime 6.6kW

2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE Supersonic Red profile view front end

If you want to complete a full electric charge much faster, equip your 2021 RAV4 Prime with an optional 6.6kW on-board charger.

There is one way to get this – ask for the Premium Package with your RAV4 Prime XSE. Premium Package can only come from the factory before purchase.

This will reduce your charge time all the way down to 2.5 hours.

Imagine being able to cut nearly 10 hours off the time it takes to fully charge.

Benefits of RAV4 Prime Electric Charge

A full electric charge means a driver can travel up to 42 miles on just electric power alone – no gasoline. This maximum distance can be affected by several factors including weather conditions, driving style, outside temperature, and type of roads (flat, hilly, mountainous).

I recently evaluated a 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime and routinely got about 36-42 miles on one charge. I tried to mix up my driving patterns to see how it would change.

Time for your Toyota RAV4 comments

2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE Supersonic Red profile view front end

Do you own either a Toyota RAV4, a RAV4 Hybrid, or a RAV4 Prime? If so, feel free to share your experiences so far.

How do you like it and how is your gas mileage?

Does a RAV4 Prime appeal to you?

We also have a Prius Prime plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) in the Toyota lineup. Toyota plans to launch one more Toyota PHEV and two Battery Electric Hybrids (BEV) by end of 2021.

What do you think this PHEV will be and what current model would you like to see as a plug-in hybrid?

Thanks for reading everyone. See you next story when I discuss potential mpg for 2022 Tundra.

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Comments

Rj (not verified)    March 23, 2021 - 12:45PM

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"I will show you how to maximize your 2021 RAV4 Prime charge times. It is easier than you think." Not so easy if "your 2021RAV4 Prime" is already yours. You have to sell it and order one with the 6.6kw charger. Which is not easier than I would think.

Bob Dee (not verified)    March 23, 2021 - 7:53PM

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BEV does not stand for Battery Electric Hybrid. It stands for Battery Electric Vehicle. No gas. Hybrid means uses gas.

PN (not verified)    March 25, 2021 - 2:47AM

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Hey Jeff,

Some comments from North of the border, thought I'd share some differences and experiences. We waited quit a bit longer to get the RAV4 Prime in Canada, I was luck to be close to the top of the list at my local dealer, finally got mine a month ago.

Neat thing about the Canadian version, both trim levels come standard with the 6.6kW charger so my SE already has it standard. Standard is also what the US weather package option adds, really nice to have all heated seats and steering wheel in the SE. That all said, missing in the SE is the power lift gate and also only had 3 colour choices, small price to pay for the better charger and weather package features.

Was nice to see the ICE not kick in a few weeks ago on EV mode when temps were sub-32.

Economicy wise, while I do have fun with the abundant acceleration from time to time, it's quite easy to push 42-46mi on EV only mode and if you're judicious with the accelerator, averaging 130mpge is a breeze, that's where I'm at after 750mi. I figure after the pandemic is over and it's back to the office, based on what I've seen so far, will easily make 100mpge

Awesome car, just loving it so far but wish Lunar Rock were an option for us here...

DOM C (not verified)    March 25, 2021 - 7:26PM

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Took delivery of a 2021 RAV4 prime one month ago. So far in EV mode I routinely get 45-48 miles on a full charge (AMAZING). In hybrid mode I am averaging 43 MPG. Only thing I wish I had is the 6.6kw onboard charger. It would make stoping for a charge at a free charging station much more time friendly Other than that I am looking forward to the Toyota all electric vehicles

William Andrew… (not verified)    April 21, 2021 - 11:31AM

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I bought a 2021 SE Prime with the sunroof and weather packages in Sept 2020 so about 7 months. I have also averaging about 45-48 miles of pure electric. I use the charge mode a lot to run on gas and recharge the battery once the battery is nearly depleted. In order to operate in charge mode there must be some battery range so I charge around 1 to 2 miles of range. I am averaging about 1200 miles on a tank of fuel which includes lots of charging and shorter trips. I do agree that a 6.6 KW charger would be huge to allow for about 2 hours to get to 100% as opposed to needing about 4.5 hours. It would likely cost the same to charge but it takes less time and that is most valuable to me.

MICHELLE (not verified)    September 15, 2021 - 11:48AM

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Hi William
I just purchased the same car as you. What am I doing wrong that I do not get that many miles from my charge? I am only getting about 1/2 of that.

Michelle (not verified)    October 5, 2021 - 1:41PM

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Does anyone know how I can get a faster charge (4.5 - 5 hours charge time) with the 3.3 kW charger?
I know it says 240v / 50 amp.
But my electrician is telling me I cannot do that with my charger.
Can someone help explain the best way to achieve this?

DOM c (not verified)    November 8, 2021 - 11:34AM

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Your electrician is wrong. I installed a juicebox in my garage. It can supply up to 10KW/hr on the 50 amp circuit. Since my RAV4 controls the charge at 3.3KW/hr it takes 4.5 hours to charge from depleted battery. Much better than 12 hours

Donna (not verified)    September 14, 2022 - 11:08PM

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Hello...we just purchased the RAV4 prime...2022. I have a Tesla and I installed a 50 amp circuit in my garage instead of purchasing the tesla charger for another $500. It has four prong holes and I bought an adapter for my Tesla and it works great charging about 30 mph. I was under the belief that I would be able to use this same plug to charge the RAV4 Prime. I can't seem to find adapters anywhere for the RAV4 Prime with four prongs. Do you know anything about this? Do I have to buy a different charger to get the 4 ish hour charging capability? Thank you.

Ananda (not verified)    November 14, 2021 - 2:24PM

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You only need 20 Amp circuit for Rav4 3.3KW charger at 240 volts. Though most of home level 2 charger with plug comes with NEMA 14-50P so you will have install NEMA 14-50R and that is fine to install on a 20 Amp 240 volts circuit. I have installed my self on a 20 Amp circuit 240 volts, my Prime charges in about 4.5 hours from fully depleted battery and draws max 15 amps while charging. Hope this helps.

Ananda K Mishra (not verified)    December 11, 2021 - 4:33AM

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All you need is a 240 Volts and minimum 20 amps circuit and install a level 2 charger. I have juice box 32 installed on a 240 volts 20 amps circuit, my rav4 prime se chargers zero to full in little over 4 hours.

William Andrew… (not verified)    October 27, 2021 - 2:21AM

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Hi Michelle it’s important to point out that using the heat and air-conditioning certain it will deplete the battery faster. Others are also right that the faster you drive you will also use the battery quicker. I am able to achieve up to 2000 miles on a single tank of gas by charging often and doing much more short term around town commuting. However I am able to drive the 60+ miles to my office using the bulk of the electricity. I would suggest keeping in an eco-mode which will also add a few extra miles.

William Andrew… (not verified)    December 12, 2021 - 8:18AM

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Hi Michelle it’s possible that you need to make sure it is in eco-mode not sport mode. Also using the HVAC system certainly uses the battery so the heated seats and or steering wheel if equipped are also beneficial. If you have different moods so make sure you’re an EV mode or auto mode. Lastly hyper Meiling helps by not being so quick to smash the Excelerator and certainly let your foot off the Excelerator when you’re coming to a stop or going downhill or simply in a position to coast.

rbshevlin (not verified)    March 14, 2022 - 2:12PM

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Keep in mind that you only get the 42 - 46 mpge in the summer time. I have the 2021 Rav4 prime sxe and in was actually getting up to 50 mpge on some trips. Howerver, in the winter that drops to about 30- 32 mpge in the winter. With the weather getting warmier, I am starting to see my mpge go up again.

Morrey Thomas (not verified)    May 26, 2021 - 8:32AM

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My 2021 RAV4 Prime is an XSE nicely equipped but does not include the premium package with the 6.6kw charger. Since mine has the 3.3kw charger, is it possible to upgrade to the 6.6kw to reduce charging times? I love the car and don't want to search for another one, only want to reduce charge times.

Dave K (not verified)    May 26, 2021 - 11:48AM

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Jeff

Brought home the prime XSE with premium 6.6 kw charger on board and plugged into 110v/20 amp outlet- still charging after 12 h. Whatsup? Do I need 240 to get to the 2.5 hr? The plug doesn’t have 240 interface or supplied adapter. Is there a separate Toyota charge cord for 240 outlets? Doesn’t come with premium package? Shouldn’t the 6.6 get less than 12 hr charge time even on 110? Thanks from newbie!

Bob (not verified)    May 30, 2021 - 4:54PM

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Hi Jeff;
My wife and I have the same question. We have the same vehicle. No one can seem to answer that question ;even Toyota. If you find out the answer, could you let me know. Thank you!

Ananda K Mishra (not verified)    November 14, 2021 - 2:30PM

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The short answer is you need to get level 2 charger rated minimum 32 amps, higher is better and appropriate 240 volts (40 amps minimum) circuit wired for the level 2 charger.

Gavin D (not verified)    June 14, 2021 - 10:07AM

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Yes, you need to have 240V hooked up to the car to see the 2.5 hour charging times. For reference, 120V * 15 A is 1.8kW, which means you would not be maxing out the charging speed of even the 3.3kW charger. To hit 3.3kW, divide 3.3kW by 240V to see 13.75A, which is how much current you would need to be drawing to max out that charger and hit the 4.5 hour charge time. To max out the 6.6kW one, 6.6kW/240V = 27.5A, which would require wiring up something like a NEMA 14-30 outlet. NEMA 14-50 is what you'd typically find at a campground, so it would probably make sense to wire that in, and then have that plug handy anytime you go camping at an RV park.

Hope that answers your questions.

Mike Rothmier (not verified)    June 17, 2021 - 6:06PM

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I have a XSE Rav4 Prime and currently using the supplied 110v charger to charge the 6.6k system. I recently had my garage wired with 220v 50 amp outlet. I would like to purchase a level 2 smart charger (for future all electric vehicles) to charge the Rav4. Does Toyota have a 220 charging unit that would work with the Rav4 XSE?

Lenny Marks (not verified)    July 18, 2021 - 8:37PM

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I just installed the ChargePoint home charger today 240 V 50 amp breaker in my panel. I have the SE with the 3.3 kW charger. 4.5 hours from 0 to full. Since I have a 50 amp breaker I have kind of future approved the charger for future all electric vehicles.

rbshevlin (not verified)    March 14, 2022 - 2:22PM

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Here is where you have to be careful. (1) Toyota does not make a level 2 charger (2) if you purchase an "after-market" level 2 charger (your only choise since Toyota does not make one) they will now warreny any issue you have becuase it is not a toyoat charger (...but they dont make one!) I purchased a Mustart charge becuase it had good reviews and was recommened in a Forbes article.However, the Mustart charege (China) is on UL certified. After about three months of use, one of the the plastic prongs "melted" into the car charging port. It cost $700 for a new car port! make sure thre charger you but is either UL certified or TUV certifued (the German version of UL). One person told me that becuase of the 6.6 onboard charger, if you use a cheaper charger you may run into resistence issues and it could get too hot.

Rahul (not verified)    July 16, 2021 - 5:53PM

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Your car is actually charged by current, not wattage or voltage. Physics: 3300 KW / 110V = 30 Amps max. Most household circuits are 15-20 Amps and that charges your car in 12 hours
Now 6600KW/110V is 60 Amps but your circuit can still handle only 15-20 Amps so the car will charge at the same rate. You will need 240V with a 50Amp circuit to charge faster.

mntest_347 (not verified)    September 24, 2021 - 1:50AM

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You need 16A at 240v to charge in 4.5 hours with either the 3.3 or 6.6 charger and 32A at 240v to charge in 2.5 hours.