Toyota designs electric car with batteries reusable in homes

Automaker looks to sell used power packs to Panasonic and utilities

20200205 The Toyota Ultra-Compact Battery Electric Vehicle

Toyota envisions a broader market for used batteries from its new ultracompact electric car. (Photo by Kento Awashima) 

KO FUJIOKA, Nikkei staff writer

NAGOYA, Japan -- Toyota Motor is preparing to release a new ultracompact electric vehicle with a standardized battery that can be easily reused in homes.

By the end of this year, the automaker aims to introduce the model designed for one or two people. The cars would be leased for several years, with scheduled battery checks over that time frame.

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