2003 Toyota RAV4 EV in Southern Maine, about to be destroyed?

[Paulo]

Hello RAV4 EV enthusiasts!
To be clear I am not selling this car, but it could possibly be acquired. About a week ago I noticed this first gen RAV4 EV in the parking lot of my local fire station and took some pictures, I had seen the car in the past at the local community college automotive area where I assumed the car was being repaired. Just today I noticed the other cars next to the RAV4 (a Toyota echo, Chevrolet cavalier etc.) were cut up and flipped over, I would guess as practice using the jaws of life, responding to emergencies, that type of thing. The RAV4 EV however was still completely intact so I looked over the car a little more. It has 41,xxx miles on the odometer, seems largely intact, doors unlocked, hood release worked, key in the ignition, and repair and owners manuals present. While I think this car is very cool and worth reviving, I have no means of storing/fixing it so I figured I would post it here just in case there is any interest. The car is cosmetically in great shape and I would hate to see this ultra rare relic go to waste, I’ve read that there are probably only around 300 of them remaining in the U.S. and the NiMH batteries usually last pretty well. Anyway I would guess that if someone were to reach out to the fire department, they would be willing to sell the car! Also if anyone would like more pictures of the car or information of its location let me know!
Thank you for reading,
Paul

 

[hokiematt]

It's impressive that car made in from CA to ME and looks to be in good shape. Surely there's someone on here that would give this vehicle another chance; perhaps you could ask the fire station what they'd take for it?

 

[alflash]

... the NiMH batteries usually last pretty well. ...

Unfortunately, practice has shown that after more than 20 years SOH of RAV4EV fird gen. HV battery is less than 10%




Checking after repairing the charging port and replacing the battery modules


Data during the test drive after repair
https://forum.alflash.com.ua/download/file.php?id=3837

The ability to read flash codes of malfunctions without a diagnostic tool is shown here


This video shows how to check the actual capacity of donor NiMH battery modules for Toyota RAV4EV 2002MY using Adjustable Constant Current Load.

 

[Paulo]

It's impressive that car made in from CA to ME and looks to be in good shape. Surely there's someone on here that would give this vehicle another chance; perhaps you could ask the fire station what they'd take for it?

Yeah I was surprised too! If I get the chance I might ask. Thanks for the reply!

 

[Paulo]

Unfortunately, practice has shown that after more than 20 years SOH of RAV4EV fird gen. HV battery is less than 10%




Checking after repairing the charging port and replacing the battery modules


Data during the test drive after repair
https://forum.alflash.com.ua/download/file.php?id=3837

The ability to read flash codes of malfunctions without a diagnostic tool is shown here

That’s too bad. I guess if someone were really interested in saving this car they’d have to replace the battery, maybe with lithium Ion or something. Anyway thank you for the information!

 

[gpearce]

I’d grab that in a heartbeat if I wasn’t so far away. Shipping isn’t cheap across borders.

 

[Melnric495!]

i might be interested can you get the name of the fire dept for me? send some more pics too
I just bought a used Lexus RZ450E I'm ate up with toyota evs

 

[Paulo]

i might be interested can you get the name of the fire dept for me? send some more pics too
I just bought a used Lexus RZ450E I'm ate up with toyota evs

The fire department is the South Portland Fire Department Willard Square station (There is another station in South Portland, but the car is at the Willard Square location). The address is 20 Pillsbury St, South Portland, ME 04106. Just FYI as far as I know the car may need a lot of work, but seems worth saving. I will try to get more pictures this afternoon. Have a great day!

 

[Paulo]

The fire department is the South Portland Fire Department Willard Square station (There is another station in South Portland, but the car is at the Willard Square location). The address is 20 Pillsbury St, South Portland, ME 04106. Just FYI as far as I know the car may need a lot of work, but seems worth saving. I will try to get more pictures this afternoon. Have a great day!

Sorry I didn’t get any pictures today, I plan to tomorrow. The car is still intact, do you still have interest?

 

[rsu9052]

I'm interested!

 

[Pinballdan]

I'm interested!

Go SAVE IT !!

 

[gpearce]

I'm interested!

Go save it! You would likely have to change batteries and charging system and some other little tweaks to be able to drive it but someone should save it.

 

[Pinballdan]

Go save it! You would likely have to change batteries and charging system and some other little tweaks to be able to drive it but someone should save it.

These need battery upgrade anyway so yeah needs to be saved !!

 

[Paulo]

Hello RAV4 EV enthusiasts!
To be clear I am not selling this car, but it could possibly be acquired. About a week ago I noticed this first gen RAV4 EV in the parking lot of my local fire station and took some pictures, I had seen the car in the past at the local community college automotive area where I assumed the car was being repaired. Just today I noticed the other cars next to the RAV4 (a Toyota echo, Chevrolet cavalier etc.) were cut up and flipped over, I would guess as practice using the jaws of life, responding to emergencies, that type of thing. The RAV4 EV however was still completely intact so I looked over the car a little more. It has 41,xxx miles on the odometer, seems largely intact, doors unlocked, hood release worked, key in the ignition, and repair and owners manuals present. While I think this car is very cool and worth reviving, I have no means of storing/fixing it so I figured I would post it here just in case there is any interest. The car is cosmetically in great shape and I would hate to see this ultra rare relic go to waste, I’ve read that there are probably only around 300 of them remaining in the U.S. and the NiMH batteries usually last pretty well. Anyway I would guess that if someone were to reach out to the fire department, they would be willing to sell the car! Also if anyone would like more pictures of the car or information of its location let me know!
Thank you for reading,
Paul

I’m happy to see that there is some interest for the car, and also happy to report that it is still intact! I think the comments about the battery needing to be replaced are valid and I also agree that the car is worth saving. If you are interested I think the best course of action would be to contact the South Portland Fire department as they are most likely the ones who are in possession and have information about the car, though I cannot confirm that they would sell the car. The station where the car is located is 20 Pillsbury St, South Portland, ME 04106. I noticed today that the car has no 12v battery, and might turn on if it did, I don’t know. Also based on quickly looking under the car there seems to be very little rust (makes sense as the car was originally from California). Anyway here are some more pictures:

 

[alflash]

Q. Is there Battery Charger for this vehcle?

 

[Paulo]

Q. Is there Battery Charger for this vehcle?

I don’t know, I haven’t seen one in or around the car, but I don’t know where it might typically be stored so it might be there . I guess that might be a bit of a deal breaker considering the car uses the rare Magne charger, but I have read that it can be converted to J1772.