Toyota, BMW working on new battery technology for green vehicles

TOKYO (AP) - Toyota Motor and BMW Group are working together on next-generation batteries for green vehicles called "lithium-air" as their collaboration, first announced in late 2011, moves ahead in fuel cells, sports vehicles and other fields.

BMW board member Herbert Diess told reporters the cooperation with the Japanese automaker will help both companies boost competitiveness in new technologies.

The automakers are aiming to complete a fuel-cell vehicle system by 2020, and a concept for a mid-size sports vehicle by the end of this year. They will also work together on developing lightweight technologies such as composites, which will help make cars greener.

They will start joint research to develop a lithium-air battery, which will be more powerful than the current lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles.