TOYOTA has revealed its new RAV4 plug-in hybrid will have a zero emission range of up to 37 miles when it goes on sale later next year.

The petrol-electric version of the Japanese car maker's popular SUV had its world debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

The first plug-in hybrid version of RAV4 draws on more than 20 years of Toyota experience in hybrid powertrain technology to offer a vehicle that promises to be not only more powerful than any other in its class, but also more efficient in terms of emissions and fuel consumption.

Toyota says the plug-in version of the RAV4 will have a 0 to 60 acceleration time of 6.2 seconds and an emissions figure below 30g/km - class leading for SUVs of this size.

Total power output is said to 302bhp and the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid uses a new, high-capacity lithium-ion battery and added a boost converter to the hybrid system's power control unit.

The 2.5-litre hybrid petrol engine is the same as featured in the regular RAV4 Hybrid.

With an expected EV range of more than 37 miles on a single charge the RAV 4 plug-in can travel further than competitor plug-in hybrid SUVs and well beyond the 31-mile average European daily commuting distance.

Toyota says it plans to introduce the model in the second half of 2020 with prices still to be announced.