Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE:HIT; 6501.T) Tuesday announced that ts subsidiary Hitachi Vehicle Energy, Ltd. has developed lithium-ion batteries for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, a first for the Hitachi Group.

The company is entering a competitive field with other major players in the US, Japan, China and South Korea vying for market shares.

Starting in the spring of 2010, the company will begin shipping samples to automobile manufacturers in Japan and overseas. Commercial production is expected to begin by 2013, according to Reuters.

Hitachi said its batteries have an electric capacity of 25Ah and are capable of running for about 20 km in EV mode, using the motor alone. This represents 4-5 times the capacity of the lithium-ion batteries for hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) that Hitachi has been developing up to now, the company said.

Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd. (President and CEO: Kunihiko Ohnuma) will undertake sales of these automotive lithium-ion batteries. Hitachi will also display lithium-ion batteries for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles at the 1st International Rechargeable Battery Expo, which will be held at Tokyo Big Sight from March 3-5, 2010.

Reprinted with permission from SustainableBusiness.com