Nissan unveils its debut electric car for the Chinese market

The Japan-based automaker, Nissan, has begun production on its first electric car in a move which will see the beginning of a number of cheaper electric cars created by automakers, The Asahi Shimbun reports.

The car, The Sylphy Zero Emission, based on Nissan’s leaf, is being produced in a joint-venture with Nissan and its Chinese partner, Dongfeng Motor group and is thought to cost 166,000 yuan ($25,850).

It has been confirmed that global companies such as General Motors and Volkswagen are set to unveil plans to bring out a range of different vehicles such as minivans, electric sedans and SUVs into the Chinese market in a bid to cater for all preferences and budgets.

The move has been heavily backed by the Chinese government with the organisation seeing electric cars as an opportunity to clean up its smog-choked cities.

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Nissan CEO Hiroto Saikawa said: “We're confident that the Sylphy Zero Emission rolling off the production line today will become a main player in the EV market.”

“We're going to roll out a range of EVs that will appeal to customers within all market segments.”

Globally, it was found that China made up half of the world’s electric car sales last year with nearly all coming from Chinese-based BYD Auto and BAIC Group