Tesla unveils batteries 'to revolutionise energy consumption'

US electric carmaker Tesla Motors has unveiled batteries that can power homes and businesses, the BBC revealed. The move is one of the company’s attempts to expand beyond its vehicle business.

Chief executive Elon Musk announced the firm would build batteries that store solar energy and serve as a back-up system for consumers during blackouts. The device would reportedly allow consumers to get off a power grid or bring energy to remote areas that are not on a grid.

Tesla plans to start shipping the units to installers in the US by the summer. Musk said the move could help change the "entire energy infrastructure of the world".

"Tesla Energy is a critical step in this mission to enable zero emission power generation," the company said in a statement issued earlier.

Analysts said that the rechargeable lithium-ion battery unit would be built using the same batteries the company produces for its vehicles. The system is called Powerwall, and Tesla will sell the 7kWh unit for $3,000, and the 10kWh unit for $3,500 (£2,275) to installers.

Energy comparison firm USwitch estimates that one kWh can power two days of work on a laptop, a full washing machine cycle or be used to boil a kettle 10 times. Musk said the company would partner with SolarCity to install the home batteries, but there would be more companies announced.