Better Place Partners with Chery

Electric vehicle solutions provider and the developer of the charging network for the Renault-Nissan alliance Better Place announced today the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Chinese carmaker Chery. The MoU will allow the two to work together for the development of electric vehicle technology in China, including switchable-battery EV prototypes.

"With only 2% of China's population owning cars and 80% of sales in 2009 to first-time car buyers, China has the opportunity to create and lead an entirely new category around clean transportation," Dan Cohen, vice president of strategic initiatives for Better Place was quoted as saying by just-auto.com.

"With the scale of Chery's design and manufacturing capability and an industrial policy that favours EV over ICE, we believe China represents an unprecedented opportunity for Better Place. Our collaboration with Chery is just the beginning for Better Place in China."

With the Chinese government set on making the country the leader of the EV-friendly markets, as well as with a projected market growth of 35 percent by 2020, Chery is confident the partnership with Better Place will give it an extra edge outside China as well.

"Chery has been a pioneer in EV technology since 2001," Chery's vice president Yuan said. "We've closely followed Better Place for nearly two years and believe that our collaboration offers both companies the potential to lead the EV market in China and beyond."