TOKYO: Mazda Motor Corp plans to make all of its cars partly or fully battery powered by 2035, company sources said Friday.
Through the shift to hybrid and electric vehicles, the automaker -- known for its fuel efficient combustion engines -- hopes to retain sales as key markets such as Europe impose tighter emissions regulations.
Mazda currently sells cars running solely on gasoline or diesel as well as conventional hybrids, but not plug-in hybrids or EVs. It is aiming to roll out its first EV in the United States in 2019.
Last month, Mazda announced a capital tie-up with Toyota Motor Corp to step up development of EVs as well as jointly open a new production plant in the United States.
Britain and France have both said they are aiming to ban the sale of gasoline and diesel cars by 2040, putting pressure on automakers to add battery-powered models to their line-ups.
Volvo Car Corp of Sweden has said all of its cars will be hybrids or EVs from 2019 onward, and Germany's Volkswagen Group plans to introduce 80 new battery-powered models by 2025.
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