Daihatsu may launch electric vehicle

Daihatsu Motor Co. is considering launching an electric vehicle based on a mini-vehicle, President Teruyuki Minoura said. Daihatsu is considering procuring lithium ion batteries for the vehicle from Panasonic EV Energy Co., a joint company of Toyota Motor Corp. and Panasonic Corp., Minoura said. Daihatsu hopes to release the electric vehicle as soon as a battery for the model is developed. (August 17, 2009)