Toshiba is getting into the rechargeable battery market with a new product that it claims will last at least 10 years and recharge in five minutes.

The Super Charge ion Battery, or SCiB, has been described as a "breakthrough rechargeable battery" and Toshiba expects to start shipping the battery in March 2008.

The SCiB is targeted for use in battery-powered bicycles, motorcycles, electric forklift trucks and construction machinery. It could also end up in petrol-electric hybrid cars, pure electric vehicles and mobile telephones.