NEC in talks to partner with Nissan on lithium ion batteries

As we reported earlier, Nissan plans to create a new series of hybrid vehicles to be released in 2010. It was just announced that Nissan may partner with NEC to create lithium ion batteries suitable for use in hybrid vehicles, reportedly also to be released in 2010.
Currently, Nissan purchases components for their newly-announced hybrid Altima from Toyota, and licenses certain technologies from them. The proposed venture with NEC would allow Nissan to use their own technology, and have a competing system separate from Toyota. Nissan is the second-largest automaker in Japan, after Toyota.

Related:

• Nissan anounces "Green Program 2010"
• Renault-Nissan to build an electric car in 2010
• Altima Hybrid won't be cash cow for Nissan

[Source: Bloomberg.com]