Nissan to promote electric cars in China

Nissan Motor Co., Japan's third-largest automaker, and Renault SA plan to help the Chinese government develop a battery-charging network to promote electric vehicles in the country.

Nissan has signed similar agreements with governments and cities in 10 countries, Toshiyuki Shiga, Nissan's chief operating officer, said at a press conference Friday in Beijing. The automakers will work with China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology to help market electric vehicles in the country, he said.

China aims to boost annual electric-vehicle production capacity to half a million vehicles over three years and will help local automakers compete with foreign rivals, including Toyota Motor Corp. and General Motors Corp. GM began selling a Buick LaCrosse Eco-Hybrid in July and Nissan intends to begin offering electric cars in China by 2012.