The Renault Nissan alliance said it has signed a partnership agreement with the Chinese government Friday to promote the use of electric cars in China.

Under the agreement, the Franco-Japanese alliance will provide the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology with an integrated marketing scheme for electric cars, including the establishment of a battery-charging network.

The Chinese government has recently launched a program to promote the use of electric vehicles for public transportation along with subsidies in 13 cities.

Wuhan in Hubei province would be the first city to test the electric car promotion, according to a memorandum of understanding signed by Renault Nissan and the ministry.

Nissan will launch the first electric car in China by early 2011.

(Chinadaily.com.cn April 11, 2009)