The Chinese government, determined to become a world leader in green technology,
says it plans to invest billions of dollars over the next few years to develop electric and hybrid vehicles.
It said a group of 16 big state-owned companies had already agreed to form an alliance
to do research and development, and create standards for electric and hybrid vehicles.
The government said the country’s top state-owned oil producers, power companies, several military and aviation companies,
and two of the nation’s biggest car companies, the China FAW Group and Dongfeng Auto, would be involved in the effort.
The announcement came shortly after General Motors and S.A.I.C., which is based in Shanghai and is one of China’s other big state-controlled automakers,
said they planned to form an alliance to develop more fuel-efficient engines and transmissions for global markets.
Another powerful Chinese company, BYD, which has an investment from Warren Buffett, is developing battery-powered vehicles.
The plan aims to put more than a million electric and hybrid vehicles on the road over the next few years
in what is already the world’s biggest and fastest growing auto market.
The announcement, analysts say, is another example of how China seeks to marshal resources and tackle industries and new markets.
