How to charge Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid - a guide for drivers in Ukraine

When you get behind the wheel of the Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid, a logical question arises: how do you actually charge it? It looks like a regular crossover, but under the hood is a hybrid system with electric and petrol drive. Of course, charging is not a space technology, but it's not exactly "plug and play" either. In this article, we will discuss how and where you can charge this car in Ukraine, how long it takes, and what you should know to make sure the battery lasts a long time.

We remind you that you can purchase home and commercial charging stations in our online storeand also use the public charging stations ECOFACTORcharging points located throughout Ukraine. For convenient access to charging infrastructure, we recommend using our mobile applicationwhich is available on iOS and Android.

Technical characteristics of the Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid

The plug-in hybrid version of the Toyota RAV4 combines a petrol engine and an electric motor with a battery. This system allows you to make part of your daily journeys on electric power, reducing fuel consumption and emissions. Below are the key technical characteristics that will help you better understand the car's capabilities.

Battery and dynamic performance

• Battery capacity: 18.1 kWh: A medium-sized battery for a plug-in hybrid. This is enough to cover short daily routes (for example, the journey to and from work) without using petrol. This battery capacity allows the car to be charged relatively quickly - in less than 3 hours under optimal conditions.
• Electric range: up to 74 km: This is a realistic mileage on electric traction in urban conditions without switching on the petrol engine. In a mixed cycle (city and highway), the range may be slightly less - approximately 50-60 km. The range is also reduced when the climate system, heating or high speed is actively used.
• Petrol engine 2.5 litres, 4-cylinder: The car is equipped with an atmospheric petrol engine that works together with an electric motor in hybrid mode. This increases the total power of the system to more than 300 horsepower (in total).
• Dynamics 0-100 km/h in 6 seconds: For a crossover, this is a very lively figure. The electric motor gives an instant start, and the petrol engine maintains the dynamics on the road. The car overtakes quite easily, even when driving with passengers or cargo.
• Top speed: about 180 km/h: This is more than enough for motorway journeys. At high speeds, however, the car behaves like a conventional petrol hybrid rather than an electric car.
• All-wheel drive (AWD): available on most models: The E-Four system adds a rear electric motor for all-wheel drive. This improves stability in difficult weather conditions or on snow.
• Trunk capacity is up to 520 litres: Despite the battery, there is plenty of space in the boot for family trips. With the rear seats folded down, the volume increases significantly.

CO₂ emissions

The officially declared level of carbon dioxide emissions for the Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid is 22 g/km. This is a very low figure, especially considering the car's dimensions and power. This result is achieved thanks to the car's ability to cover short distances solely on electric power without the participation of a petrol engine. In a real city cycle, when the battery is regularly recharged, the car emits almost no harmful gases into the air, making it a convenient choice for city trips.

At the same time, it should be understood that the actual level of emissions depends on the style of operation. If the driver rarely charges the car or does not use the electric mode at all, the car operates as a conventional hybrid, and emissions increase significantly. That is why the efficiency of the Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid is directly related to the regular use of the EV mode.

In some countries, low-CO₂ models enjoy benefits such as reduced taxes, purchase subsidies, or free entry to urban green zones. In Ukraine, there are few such benefits yet, but with the development of the electric vehicle market and legislative initiatives, similar incentives may be introduced for plug-in hybrids.

Charging type and connector

The Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid supports alternating current (AC) charging via a Type 2 (Mennekes) connector. The maximum charging speed is 6.6 kW. This means that when you try to charge with a high-power charger, for example, 22 kW, the car adjusts the consumption to its maximum. Models from 2021-2025 do not support DC charging (fast "direct current" charging), but models from 2026 may have support for fast charging via the CCS connector. Check the model year as not all stations are suitable for older models.

Charging time depending on type

The charging time depends on the power of the charging station. Here is a guide for charging 10 to 80 %:

Household socket (2.3 kW)

This is a common socket found in every home. To charge, you will need an adapter from Type 2 to a standard outlet (often supplied with the car).

This option is suitable for those who do not have a special charging station but have access to the power grid, for example, in a private garage or at a summer cottage. This is the longest option in terms of time - approximately 5.5 hours to charge 10 to 80 %.

It is not recommended to use extension cords or leave the car charging unattended, as the home network is not always designed to handle this level of load for a long time.

Home charging station or low-power AC charging (3.6 kW)

This option involves installing a stationary charging point in the yard, on the wall of the house or in the garage. Compared to a power outlet, this is a safer and more efficient way to charge.

Charging from 10 to 80 % takes approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes. For most users, this is quite convenient - you can leave the car overnight and have a sufficient range for the day in the morning. This option is ideal for those who leave home every morning and have the opportunity to charge regularly.

Type 2 charging station with a power of 6.6 kW

This is the best option for the Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid. The charging power is perfectly matched to the maximum permissible receiving power of the car.

Charging from 10 to 80 % takes approximately 1 hour and 54 minutes. Such chargers can be found in public car parks, shopping malls, near offices or at petrol stations where electric vehicles are allowed. Often, they are part of large public networks with payment via mobile apps or cards.

Stations with a power of 22 kW (AC)

Despite the higher declared power, the Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid will still charge no faster than 6.6 kW. That is, even when connected to a 22-kilowatt station, the car will only take its "ceiling".

The charging time is the same - about 1 hour and 54 minutes. The advantage of these stations is that they are more likely to be located in high-traffic areas, such as motorways, logistics hubs, hotels or office centres. For the RAV4 driver, however, it's more a matter of accessibility than speed.

Where to charge Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid in Ukraine

The Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid can be charged in a variety of places - at home, at work or at public charging stations. Each option has its own characteristics and is suitable for different usage scenarios. Let's take a closer look at each of them below.

1. Charging at home

Charging at home is one of the most convenient and affordable ways to replenish the charge. You can use a regular wall outlet or install a special charging station (Wallbox).

Advantages:

• Convenient: No need to go somewhere - just plug in the car in the evening and remove it in the morning fully charged.
• Economical: The night tariff or the "Emergency" tariff is much cheaper than the daytime tariff. You can charge your car while you sleep and save on electricity.
• Predictable: You don't depend on queues, station availability or cable availability.

Disadvantages:

• For a long time: if charged from a regular household outlet, the process will take more than 7 hours (full charge).
• We need infrastructure: To install a home Wallbox, you need a separate car park or garage, as well as access to a power supply with sufficient capacity.
• Additional costs: Installing home charging costs money. In Ukrainian cities, there are currently almost no subsidies or government support programmes.

2. Charging at work

More and more companies, especially in the IT and tech sector, are installing electric vehicle chargers in their car parks. If you work in an office with such an option, this is a good option for charging during working hours.

Advantages:

• It is convenient to combine with the working day: the car charges while you are at work, without wasting any extra time.
• Sometimes for free: Some companies pay for charging as a bonus or part of a social package for employees.
• Less need for home charging: If you regularly charge your car at work, you can do without installing a station at home.

Disadvantages:

• Not everyone has access: Availability of chargers at work is still a rarity in Ukraine. Especially outside of big cities.
• Limited number of ports: If many employees have electric cars, there may be a queue or need to take turns.
• We need an organisation: Sometimes registration or pre-registration is required to access the charging point.

3. Public charging stations

This is the most versatile option, suitable for those who are travelling or do not have access to home charging. The number of public charging stations is gradually increasing in Ukraine, particularly in cities, near shopping malls, petrol stations and business centres.

ECOFACTOR - our infrastructure for electric vehicles

We are ECOFACTOR, a company that creates and maintains infrastructure charging stations for electric vehicles in Ukraine. Our work covers the full cycle - from developing chargers to building digital solutions for network management and user support.

We produce both AC and DC power plants (up to 420 kW) that meet international standards. All devices are designed and assembled in Ukraine. We have more than 3,500 charging ports in our network, and more than 215,000 drivers are connected to our mobile app.

Through our app, available for iOS and AndroidThe drivers are able to:

• find charging stations on the map,
• view the status in real time,
• see the tariffs,
• pay for charging via mobile means.

A separate area of our work is solutions for businesses. We provide charging stations for shopping malls, residential complexes, hotels, restaurants, as well as a SaaS platform for operators that allows them to manage stations, track energy consumption and set tariffs.

In addition, we offer online shop accessories cables, adaptersRFID cards, charging solutions. All equipment comes with full documentation and support.

Advantages:

• Wide geography: There are stations in most major cities - Kyiv, Lviv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Odesa - as well as along major highways.
• Charging speed: Although the Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid does not support DC charging, many AC stations have an optimum capacity of 6.6 kW.
• Flexibility: you can charge anywhere - in a supermarket, near your office or in a car park.

Disadvantages:

• Incompatibility with DC: The Toyota RAV4 PHEV does not charge at direct current (DC) stations, so you will not be able to use ultra-fast charging.
• Registration is required: Many stations operate through apps. Sometimes a subscription, card or QR scan is required, which is not always convenient.
• Price: without a network subscription, prices may be higher, especially in the city centre or on highways.

For maximum convenience, it is recommended to have your own Type 2 cable so that you can use not only the tethered stations (with cable), but also those with a universal connector.

Conclusion.

Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid is a car for those who want to combine comfort, economy and environmental friendliness. To ensure that the car works efficiently and the battery lasts longer, it is important to know how to charge it properly, which stations are suitable and how to choose the most convenient charging method for your conditions. At home, at work or in the city - there are plenty of options, the main thing is to understand what works for you. And remember: regular charging and battery care is the best investment in the stable operation of your car.

Frequently asked questions