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Toyota Announces Sale of Electric Vehicles to NYC

7 May 1998

Toyota Announces Sale of Electric Vehicles to City of New York

    NEW 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.