The automaker is betting that its cars will appeal to younger Japanese buyers who are also more open to trying South Korean imports, thanks to the local success of electronics brands and hip Korean culture.

The Ariya, Nissan's second EV-only model after the Leaf hatchback, will now go on sale on May 12 in Japan.

The alliance partners, together with Mitsubishi, are expected to launch more than 30 new full-electric models by 2030 on five common platforms and invest more than $23 billion on EVs.

By 2029, just 14 percent of Toyota’s worldwide production is forecast to be full-electric, rising to 18 percent for Honda and 22 percent for Nissan, according to research released from climate think tank InfluenceMap.

Subaru's outlay shows the all-wheel drive specialist is finally turning its focus to full-electric vehicles after introducing its first serious contender, the Solterra crossover, only this year.

Mazda pushes pause on plans to resurrect its rotary engine in a range-extender setup. It still plans to use the trademark engine -- only first as a power-assist technology in traditional series and plug-in hybrid offerings.

In ramping up regional output to meet booming demand for EVs, Panasonic also aims to increase localized sourcing of battery materials, targeting a 50 percent local procure rate.

Toyota says it needs to offer a variety of powertrains -- such as hybrid and fuel cell vehicles -- to suit different markets and customers.

Toyota is expected to begin selling a Crown sedan in the U.S. this year, replacing the Avalon, and will bring a hybridized SUV to the U.S. under the nameplate in 2023 to replace the Land Cruiser.

A Japanese battery start-up is launching a commercial fleet service using Geely EVs.

The brand has hit the pause button on introducing the technology after years of expectation.

The automaker is ready for takeoff in the brand-new world of electric air mobility. But for now, it is skipping further investment in a Japanese startup founded partly by its own engineers in favor of an American aerospace company focused on fast, quiet flying machines.

Selling part of its 43 percent stake in Nissan could raise billions and ease long-standing tensions between the alliance partners.

Lexus cars will "express the evolution of the automobile brought about by electrification," the brand's president Koji Sato said.

Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda said the automaker was still pursuing a multi-pronged, carbon-reduction strategy that also includes hybrid cars and hydrogen-powered vehicles.

Guidehouse Insights expects annual growth of 170 percent in deliveries by low-speed automated vehicles to more than 50 billion by 2030.

Japanese motor-maker Nidec grew big by making electric motors for appliances. Now it is plotting huge growth in automotive.

While automaker is joining other automakers in embracing EVs, it is reluctant to abandon the sale of combustion-engine vehicles completely.

While Tesla has led the development of the global EV market, the two giants of automaking are determined to defend their dominance.