Volkswagen has announced a joint effort with Sanyo, a well-known rechargeable battery developer, to work on "new and extremely efficient high-performance storage systems" based on lithium-ion technology. Previously, the company showed off its Golf TDI Hybrid in March; it featured a high-tech-diesel drivetrain, "electric-drive" and a 7-speed-DSG transmission.

Martin Winterkorn, CEO of the Volkswagen Group, said in a statement that VW's future focus "will be directed more strongly at making electrically powered automobiles alongside ones driven by more efficient combustion engines. Drivetrain electrification is the way forward if we wish to secure mobility in tomorrow's world. This will involve energy recovery. The whole idea will be to no avail, however, as long as we do not have powerful energy storage systems at our disposal and as long as vehicle operations are not in tune with customer demands. This cooperation is an important step for us."

The company also referenced its A1 Quattro concept, which is capable of running about 60 miles on its Li Ion batteries at present.