Ford to Buy Nickel Hydroxide Batteries from Panasonic EV Energy

12/24/96

Comline reports that Ford plans to purchase nickel hydroxide batteries to power its electric cars from Panasonic EV Energy, a joint venture that includes Matsushita Electric and Toyota. Honda, Toyota, and Nissan are likely to purchase the same type of battery, which may make nickel hydroxide cells a strong candidate for the industry standard. Ford plans to introduce its Ranger EV--a small pickup powered by a lead electric battery--in January, 1998; nickel hydroxide batteries will debut in Ford vehicles the following October. The nickel hydroxide and lithium ion batteries that Sony and Nissan are developing are considered next-generation of electric automobile batteries.

Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel