china\'s catl, honda plan to co-operate on ev battery development

TOKYO (Reuters)-
Hyundai Amperex Technology Co. Ltd and Honda Motor Co. signed an agreement
Expanding cooperation with China\'s largest electric vehicle battery manufacturer to jointly develop lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles
Cooperate with Japanese automakers.
CATL said on Tuesday it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Honda under which it will guarantee the supply of lithium
Ion EV batteries with a capacity of about 56 gigawatts (GWh)
By 2027, Honda had set up an office near the Honda Research Department in ch mu County, just outside Tokyo.
Honda spokesman Takemori Tomoko said: \"The agreement focuses on the supply of electric vehicle batteries in Asia . \" He declined to give more details about which models will use CATL batteries.
\"We can also consider some supply in the North American market.
People familiar with the matter told Reuters that the agreement to explore the use of CATL technology in Honda electric vehicles is part of Honda\'s diversified battery supply base to ensure long-term stable inventory, japanese automakers have also been negotiating with other battery manufacturers, including Panasonic, the current supplier.
Honda is trying to meet China\'s strict \"green car\" quota and plans to launch the first Volkswagen.
Production of battery electric vehicles in China later this year, while building a new factory for new electric vehicles
Energy vehicles including battery electric vehicles and plug-in electric vehiclesin hybrid cars.
CATL, one of the world\'s largest electric vehicle battery manufacturers, has added Honda to its list of partners that already include BMW, Volkswagen and SAIC. The Fujian-
Yokohama-based companies have been eager to gain more Japanese customers and established sales and development support centers in Yokohama last year.
It already sees Nissan motor as a customer, providing batteries for batteries
The electric version of Xuanyi sedan in China. (
Reports from Yoko Yamaki and kojizu in Tokyo
Sun Yilei and bai zu are in Beijing;
Editor Muralikumar Anantharaman)