Toyota Announces Sale of Electric Vehicles to NYC
7 May 1998
Toyota Announces Sale of Electric Vehicles to City of New YorkNEW YORK, May 7 -- Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. (TMS), Inc., today announced that the City of New York will lease 37 Toyota RAV4-EV electric vehicles for use by City agencies, representing the largest single order of an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) electric vehicle by the City. When these vehicles are delivered, Toyota will have placed more EVs in service in the state than any other manufacturer. The RAV4-EVs will see a variety of city business uses including administrative support, deliveries and as carpool commute vehicles. Toyota has previously leased eight RAV4-EVs to Consolidated Edison and 12 to the New York Power Authority. The City's purchase brings the total number of RAV4-EVs ordered throughout New York State to 57. The City's vehicles will be used by the Departments of Environmental Protection (20 vehicles), Sanitation (five vehicles), Citywide Administrative Services (four vehicles), Transportation (three vehicles), Homeless Services (three vehicles) and the Taxi and Limousine Commission (two vehicles). "We are happy to expand our fleet-sales relationship with New York," said Jim Olson, TMS senior vice president of External Affairs. "As the third- largest automaker in the world, Toyota has a commitment to develop cars that leave the smallest possible environmental footprint. Although electric vehicles have range and cost drawbacks that severely limit their market potential, they are one of the current options that allow us to fulfill this commitment." The Toyota RAV4-EV is Toyota's first production electric vehicle, and is developed from the popular RAV4 car-based sport-utility vehicle. Powered by advanced nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, the RAV4-EV can travel up to 120 miles on a single charge at speeds up to 78 mph. With four doors and seating for five, the vehicle offers true utility for a variety of fleet applications. The RAV4-EV is available to fleet buyers nationwide. Toyota Motor Sales is the U.S. sales and marketing arm of Toyota Motor Corporation, with responsibility for the distribution, marketing and sales of Toyota and Lexus vehicles in the United States. With over 1.2 million vehicles sold in 1997, and over 65 percent of those built in North America, Toyota is the fourth-largest car company in the U.S. SOURCE Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.