Named the “Clean Assist Program”, this allows RAV4 Prime and Prius Prime owners to charge with 100% renewable energy no matter where they charge.

Time to go carbon-free

Starting in California, the new Clean Assist Program is Toyota’s new way of saving the environment. With no additional fee, RAV4 Prime and Prius Prime owners can participate in this program to reduce their carbon footprints.

Here’s how it works. Owners in California enroll in the program via the Toyota App. Then when charging, the app tracks how much electricity was used at that time. After that, Toyota generates or buys an equivalent amount of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) sourced in California, and sends proof of matching amount to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to ensure Toyota PHV owners have been charged with carbon-free electricity.

As of now, Toyota globally launches two PHV models, the RAV4 Prime and Prius Prime. Of those, the RAV4 Prime is not simply an eco-friendly model but also a sports SUV with outstanding acceleration.

Although the engine remains the same 2.5-liter inline-4 engine as the ordinary model, its total system output has been increased to 301 hp, thanks to its electric motor. It can do 0-60 in just 5.8 seconds, which is on par with the Supra. And while proving an outstanding sports performance, it boasts an electric-only range of 42 miles, making it one of the tops in its class.

The North American market continues to face new unique vehicles such as the GMC Hummer EV and the Tesla Cybertruck, both being eco-friendly while having rich sports performance. These cars, including the RAV4 Prime, are likely to continue as a trend in the future.