NOVELTY - A hydrogen storage alloy powder comprises element (L), element (M), nickel, cobalt and element (E). The element (L) is element of group 3 or 4 in periodic table, and contains less than 5 %mass neodymium and 23 %mass or less lanthanum. The element (M) is magnesium, calcium, strontium and barium. The element (E) is transition metal element of group 5-12 in the periodic table (excluding cobalt and nickel), and/or element of group 13-14 of 3-5 period in periodic table. The molar ratio (x) of element (M) with respect to total content of element (L) and element (M) is 0.045-0.133.    USE - Alloy powder is used as active material for negative electrode used for nickel hydride storage battery (all claimed) for electric vehicle.    ADVANTAGE - The alloy powder provides battery with excellent battery capacity, durability and cycle characteristics even while preserving at high temperature.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - A hydrogen storage alloy powder comprises element (L), element (M), nickel, cobalt and element (E). The element (L) is element of group 3 or 4 in periodic table, and contains less than 5 %mass neodymium and 23 %mass or less lanthanum. The element (M) is magnesium, calcium, strontium and barium. The element (E) is transition metal element of group 5-12 in the periodic table (excluding cobalt and nickel), and/or element of group 13-14 of 3-5 period in periodic table. The molar ratio (x) of element (M) with respect to total content of element (L) and element (M) is 0.045-0.133. The molar ratio (y) of nickel with respect to total content of the element (L) and element (M) is 3.5-4.32. The molar ratio (z) of cobalt with respect to total content of element (L) and element (M) is 0.13-0.5. The total content of molar ratios (x), (y) and (z) is 4.78-5.03. INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are included for the following:    (1) negative electrode; and    (2) nickel hydride storage battery, which has separator interposed between positive electrode and negative electrode, positive electrode, negative electrode and alkali electrolyte solution.