The launch of the world's first commercialized plug-in hybrid electric car at the Detroit auto show again put in the limelight China's unremitting efforts to develop a sustainable and environmentally-friendly economy.

China's BYD F6DM, powered by electric motors and gasoline engine, is displayed at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), in Detroit, the United States, January 11, 2009. [Hu Guangyao/Xinhua]

Chinese car-manufacturer BYD Auto's launching of a range of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, which lured more than 1,000 journalists and industry insiders at the main floor of the ongoing Detroit show, may have changed a bit the world's perception that Chinese products, including their cars, are low-end.

One of BYD's e-cars, the "e6", can travel up to 250 miles (over 402 km) purely on battery, more than double the range its Western rivals can on a single charge. The BYD's innovative battery used in its dual mode cars can fully charge in nine hours from a regular electrical outlet, or much faster at charging stations.

China's BYD E6, a pure electric vehicle, is displayed at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), in Detroit, the United States, January 11, 2009. [Hu Guangyao/Xinhua]

Before the show, the Chinese carmaker had already taken a step ahead of its Western and Japanese rivals, which also have heavily invested on developing new energy cars. BYD's F3DM, a plug-in hybrid launched last month, was at least a year ahead of General Motors' most anticipated Volt. So far, only the U.S. auto giant and Toyota have announced plans to bring out such vehicles by 2010.

China's BYD F3DM, powered by electric motors and gasoline engine, is displayed at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), in Detroit, the United States, January 11, 2009. [Hu Guangyao/Xinhua]