The RAV4 Prime, as are all
The RAV4 Prime, as are all plug-in hybrids, is a stop-gap to appease those egging Toyota to innovate while ignoring the fundamentals of costly Li batteries that use rare metals like cobalt. Toyota will continue to make relatively low volume Primes because as they rightly said, it is far more beneficial to spread the battery materials across regular hybrids than to concentrate them into fewer Primes (or BEVs). Ultimately, Toyota is waiting for the next-gen batteries before going full volume, one that is sustainable and affordable to the masses, meaning cobalt-free and probably solid state.