With Nissan ’s recent commitment to bring an electric car Stateside by 2010, news comes today the company plans to start mass producing lithium ion batteries as early as next year, ahead of rivals.
The automaker’s plans call for initial production numbers of 13,000 units, growing to 65,000 by 2011, according to Automotive News. The automaker plans on releasing an electric vehicle in the U.S. and Japan by 2010, with Israel and Denmark getting them in 2011, and world-wide sales by 2012. Toyota and GM are planning on bringing their own lithium-ion-powered plug-in hybrids in 2010, with Toyota making the switch from nickel-metal hydride batteries it currently uses in the Prius.
While Nissan is the first to announce mass production of lithium ion batteries in conjunction with Automotive Energy Supply, while Toyota is seeking a collaboration with Panasonic and GM with A123Systems. The Nissan batteries should offer up a range of up to 124 miles on a full charge, company officials estimate.
