Tesla Motors and Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) have announced that the two companies have signed an agreement to initiate the development of an electric version of the RAV4. With the objective of marketing the EV in the United States in 2012, prototypes will be made combining the Toyota RAV4 model with a Tesla electric powertrain. Tesla plans to produce and deliver a fleet of prototypes to Toyota for evaluation during this year.

In May, Tesla and TMC announced their intent to cooperate on the development of electric vehicles, parts, production systems and engineering support. Tesla seeks to learn and benefit from Toyota’s engineering, manufacturing, and production expertise, while Toyota aims to learn from Tesla’s EV technology.