TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Nissan Motor Co. and trading house Mitsubishi Corp. are considering setting up a joint venture by March 2025 to provide services using autonomous driving technology and electric vehicle batteries, sources familiar with the matter said Monday.

The venture aims to offer autonomous driving services in rural areas in Japan where labor shortages are more severe and public transportation options are limited due to the aging population.

The new company, to be equally owned by Nissan and Mitsubishi, is also considering using electricity stored in EV batteries as an emergency power source for households, according to the sources.

The two companies said in March that they would consider energy services using EVs but did not provide details.

Nissan is pushing forward with partnerships in the EV business. Earlier this year, the carmaker agreed with Honda Motor Co. to explore a collaboration in EV production. Mitsubishi Motors Corp. is also part of its three-way alliance, which includes Renault SA.

Nissan also launched self-driving mobility trial services in Namie, Fukushima Prefecture and Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture.

Mitsubishi Corp. said in June that it and Honda would establish a joint venture to provide services using EV technologies while studying an efficient public transportation system utilizing artificial intelligence through a trial in Shiojiri, Nagano Prefecture, among other projects.

Nissan aims for sales of 2.5 trillion yen ($16 billion) from new businesses with autonomous and EV technologies through the fiscal year ending March 2031.