Xinhua reported that major Chinese automaker First Automobile Works launched the first batch of its independently-developed new energy vehicles.
As per report, the first 20 new energy vehicles include the company Besturn plug-in hybrids and pure electric vehicles.
Mr Xu Jianyi FAW chairman said FAW will stick to the strategy of developing both hybrid and electric-fuelled vehicles in the future. He said that "The Company will invest CNY 9.8 billion in the next five years to develop and build eight new-energy vehicle production platforms, adding that FAW has planned to develop 13 new-energy passenger car models and three commercial vehicle models during the period."
He added that the company production line will be soon able to realize a yearly production capacity of 10,000 units of new energy vehicles this year.
Mr Li Jun FAW engineer said the Besturn PHEV model which has obtained patents in both China and America can consume 60% less petro than a traditional car. It can drive 70 kilometres on a single charge using only the electric motor.
He said that the Besturn EV model can run 170 kilometres on a single charge.