Lithium Energy Japan (LEJ), a joint venture set up by Mitsubishi Motors, Mitsubishi Corporation and GS Yuasa.
LEJ commenced mass production at its Kusatsu Plant 1st Line last June, and has since been operating at full capacity, producing 200,000 cells (enough for 2,300 EVs) a year. The 2nd Line will begin operations this June, enabling LEJ to ship an additional 400,000 cells (enough for 4,500 electric cars), bringing LEJ’s annual production from Kusatsu up to 600,000 cells (enough for 6,800 EVs).
Furthermore, LEJ has started investing in a production line at its Kyoto works (GS Yuasa’s Kyoto Office), and from December 2010, will produce 1 million cells a year (enough for 11,000 EVs). LEJ has succeeded in developing technologies to produce the large capacity lithium-ion cells in the specially designed mass production line, and is now prepared to launch full-scale operations capable of meeting the needs of more than 10,000 EVs per year.
By the second half of fiscal year 2012, when the Ritto Plant begins operations, LEJ will be capable of producing 6 million cells (enough for 67,800 EVs) through these three production bases of Kusatsu, Kyoto, and Ritto. LEJ aims to expand its Japanese operations to accommodate 100,000 EVs per year in the future.
For its construction of the Ritto plant, LEJ will receive the maximum subsidy of 5 billion yen under the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry’s "Regional Development Subsidy Program for "Green" Companies Towards Employment Creation" for the fiscal year 2009.
Lithium Energy Japan has lithium-ion battery "LEV50" which is based on GS Yuasa Group’s state of the art technology and extensive experience in manufacturing large-scale industrial and small lithium-ion batteries. Its excellent performance is brought by our latest technologies and most suitable for EV applications, and can unfold widely for other applications for energy storage etc.
Corporate Name Lithium Energy Japan Establishment December 12th, 2007 Headquarters 1, Inobanba-cho, Nishinosho, Kisshoin, Minami-ku, Kyoto, Japan Capital 4 billion yen (As of March 31, 2010) Investors GS Yuasa International Ltd. 51% Mitsubishi Corporation 34% Mitsubishi Motors Corporation 15% Business Development, Manufacturing & Sales of Large Lithium-ion batteries.
Mitsubishi Corporation (TSE: 8058; ADR: MSBHY) is Japan’s largest general trading company (sogo shosha) with over 200 bases of operations in approximately 80 countries worldwide. Together with its over 500 group companies, Mitsubishi Corporation employs a multinational workforce approximately 55,000 people.
The Group has long been engaged in business with customers around the world in virtually every industry, including energy, metals, machinery, chemicals, food and general merchandise. Mitsubishi Corporation's commitment to social responsibility is embodied in its corporate philosophy and demonstrated through its extensive programme of cultural, environmental and educational projects worldwide.
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (TSE: 7211) was established in 1970 and is one of the few automobile companies in the world that produces a full line of automotive products ranging from 660-cc mini cars and passenger cars to commercial vehicles and heavy-duty trucks and buses. The company also operates consumer financing services and provides this to its customer base.
GS Yuasa Group is comprises of GS Yuasa Corporation with 81 subsidiaries and 46 affiliated companies, and our business includes the manufacture and supply of batteries, power supply systems, lighting equipment, specialty other electrical equipment. In order to allow us to offer products and services that best meet the needs of our customers around the world, we are continually making modifications and improvements to our R&D, manufacturing, and distribution systems, ensuring that they have a global focus.
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