RE: So Sorry GI1929As I understand it a ZEV is completely maintenance free - its basically a battery and an electic motor, so the only maintenance required is brakes, tires etc. Toyota was selling a ZEV version of the RAV4 with a 50kw battery (same as EFL's). Although the cost is high there are government rebates (in california) which offsets the cost. Since were lucky enough to have the Liberals back in power again (being fecious) the Canadian government would likely have rebates as well. I took the following excerpt from an article on the ZEV RAV4-
The RAV4-EV is powered by a maintenance-free, permanent magnet motor, producing 50kW of power (equivalent to a 67-horsepower gasoline engine). It has a top speed of 125 km/h (78 mph) and a range of 128 km (80 miles) to 162 kilometres (100 miles) per charges.
In the U.S., the RAV4-EV has a manufacturers suggested retail price of U.S.$42,000 (CAN$68,000) but a U.S.$9,000 (CAN$14,500) incentive from CARB and a U.S.$3,000 (CAN$4,800) IRS credit brings the price down to U.S.$30,000 (CAN$48,600) which includes an in-home charging device.