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