The partnership will help improve the performance, costs, and safety of lithium batteries, IonQ said.

The planned four-day halt to production at a Tsutsumi factory line, which makes Camry and Corolla models, will cut vehicle output by as many as 1,500 vehicles.

The success of the Dacia Spring and Renault Zoe has shown there is demand for low-cost small electric cars.

McLaren has talked with VW Group, whose Audi and Porsche brands have been linked to future Formula One entry.