Separately, Panasonic will provide the same lithium-ion batteries to a team from Japan’s Tokai University which is also competing in the same category.

Panasonic is providing both teams with its 18650-type cylindrical high-capacity, lithium-ion battery cells which are then mounted in arrays within a storage battery module.

The Global Green Challenge evolved from the World Solar Challenge, a solar car race first held in 1987 in Australia. Today, the Global Green Challenge includes the World Solar Challenge for solar powered cars, and the Eco Challenge for other types of environmentally conscious production cars including fuel cell, electric and hybrid vehicles.

Teams from universities, corporations and other groups from around the world will compete, driving across the Australian continent from Darwin in the north, to Adelaide in the south, over a distance of 3,021 km (1,877 miles).

Panasonic believes the Global Green Challenge will present an opportunity for the company to explore new applications of its high-capacity, lithium-ion batteries.

A joint venture between Panasonic and Toyota (PEVE) produces the NiMH battery packs for current Toyota hybrids, and is developing Li-ion packs for future deployment.