Toyota Motor Corp. on Monday started selling its first plug-in hybrid SUV in Japan as it looks to commit more to the electric vehicle market.
The new RAV4, loaded with a newly developed high-powered motor that provides a longer range and better acceleration than its conventional hybrid model released in April last year, went on sale with a price tag starting at ¥4.69 million ($42,840).
The sport utility vehicle has an overall range of 1,300 kilometers, the automaker said, adding that it can travel up to 95 km on battery power alone.
Equipped with on-board power sockets, the car can be used as a power source that lasts more than three days in outdoor or emergency situations.
"The use of electricity has brought better traveling performance and comfortability, as well as improved eco-friendliness," said a Toyota official in charge of the model's development. The automaker aims to sell 300 units per month.