First Tesla-Toyota prototypes ID'd as RAV4, Lexus RX (Silicon Valley)
The first prototype electric vehicles being worked on by Toyota Motor Corp. and Tesla Motors Inc. are reportedly the RAV4 and Lexus RX.
Bloomberg cited an unnamed person it said is "familiar with the matter" identified the test cars that are expected to be delivered to Toyota by the end of the month.
A Tesla official said on Saturday that the company is putting its electric battery into two prototypes but didn't identify the models.
There has been speculation that Toyota plans all-electric versions of its popular Corolla and Prius bybrid, but Bloomberg's source said the RAV4 and RX light trucks are better suited to the weight of Tesla’s battery pack.
Tesla Motors executives mentioned small SUVs during the company's road show prior to its IPO last month.
Toyota, which invested $50 million Palo Alto-based Tesla this month, made its last Corolla at the Fremont plant the electric car company is buying on April 1.
Read more in the Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal.
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