Matsushita to Market Disposable Battery in U.S.

Advanced Battery Technology, Mar 2005

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. - otherwise known as Tokyo-based Panasonic - will begin marketing its increased-life Oxyride disposable batteries in the U.S., the Wall Street Journal reported in its online edition.

The Oxyride battery, which is already available in Japan, puts out 0.1V more and lasts 50% longer than a regular alkaline battery. This translates into three times as many shots with a digital camera or almost 24 hours on a portable music player, versus 19 hours for regular alkaline batteries. Matsushita also says Oxyride's power produces better sound, for instance, from a Walkman.

Analysts told the Journal that these little improvements could well help Matsushita, which currently holds 1.8% of the world market for disposable batteries, to challenge leaders like Duracell, which has about 10%.

The battery will come out in AA and AAA versions in the U.S. in the coming months. Prices are unknown.