Apple Store (saiko3p/Bigstock.com)

Legal action taken by a US electric battery company against Apple suggests that the iPhone maker is indeed embarking on a full-scale car development program.

Massachusetts-based A123 Systems stated in court filings that Apple Inc. was “systematically hiring away [its] high-tech PhD and engineering employees, thereby effectively shutting down various projects/programs”.

The law suit goes on: “They are doing so in an effort to support Apple’s apparent plans to establish a battery division that is similar if not identical to A123’s.”

Five former employees are also being sued by A123, after joining Apple in direct contravention of their contracts which stated they must not work for a firm in a similar field for at least 12 months.

Other clues that suggest Apple is developing its own car is the rumour that Steve Zadesky, the man who led the development of the iPad and iPhone, has set up a secretive automotive research lab.

Perhaps pertinently, Apple refused to comment on the A123 lawsuit or any Zadesky-led lab.

Apple appears to be focussing heavily on any car's electric cell unit, having been in "preliminary discussions" with researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology last year. The MIT have developed a new long-range lithium battery that could, if acquired, help Apple reduce production costs of this vital component.

It may seem a stretch for any company that has spent its existence making computers to enter the automobile market. However, if there's one company that has the cash to carry out such a feat, it is Apple.

The only question is: will they survive the forthcoming legal challenges?