Toyota to start lithium-ion battery output in ’09

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Tokyo, June 11: : Toyota Motor Corp said on Wednesday its battery joint venture with Matsushita Electric Industrial Co will start limited production of lithium-ion batteries in 2009, moving into full-scale production the following year.

The joint venture, called Panasonic EV Energy Co, currently produces nickel-metal hydride batteries used in Toyota's gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles.

Many big automakers are working in partnership with battery makers on developing vehicle-use lithium-ion batteries, which can store more energy in smaller packages and are seen as crucial for lowering costs and extending the cruising distance of pure electric vehicles.

Toyota, the world's biggest automaker, also said in a statement it would establish later this month a battery research department to develop next-generation batteries that would outperform lithium-ion batteries.

Domestic rivals Nissan Motor Co and Mitsubishi Motors Corp have joint ventures with the NEC Corp group and GS Yuasa Corp, respectively, to mass-produce lithium-ion batteries from next year.

Toyota has not said whether it would use lithium-ion batteries in its third-generation Prius, widely expected for launch some time next year, but the start of full-scale battery production suggests it could be used soon.

Toyota, a pioneer in fuel-sipping hybrid cars, has said it would use lithium-ion batteries in a rechargeable, plug-in hybrid vehicle due for launch towards fleet customers in Japan, the United States and Europe, by 2010.