TOKYO, Jan 28 (Reuters) - Japan's Honda Motor ( HMC )

plans to launch a small electric vehicle priced below $30,000 in

North America by as early as 2026, the Nikkei newspaper said on

Tuesday, as it plays catch-up in the battery-powered car market.

The automaker will produce the low-cost model locally, the

Nikkei said, adding it will roll it out as part of its upcoming

"Honda ( HMC ) 0 Series" EV lineup.

Honda ( HMC ) has previously said the series will be launched

globally, starting from the North American market. A company

spokesperson did not immediately respond to a comment request.

Japan's second-biggest automaker has been slow to step up

sales of battery-powered vehicles, lagging behind U.S., European

and Chinese rivals, including Tesla, Volkswagen

and BYD.

The company is striving to have battery-powered and

fuel-cell vehicles make up all of its new car sales by 2040.