IS TOYOTA JUST PLAYING CALIFORNIA POLITICS with its new RAV4 electric vehicle? “Plugin Cars says the timing of the electric RAV4’s launch, coupled with its anticipated limited production volume suggests Toyota is aiming to satisfy CARB’s Zero-Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) mandate. Next year, ZEV credits accumulated by Toyota from the 1997-2003 RAV4 EV will expire, as CARB opens the 2012-2014 chapter of its ZEV mandate. This phase will require a fresh batch of plug-ins (or the purchasing of ZEV credits from other manufacturers) from automakers to meet ZEV obligations; Plugin Cars speculates the 2012 RAV4 EV will be one of those vehicles.”