The construction of China's largest electric vehicle research and development base, which is expected to produce 20,000 electric cars annually, began recently in Tianjin Binhai New Area.

Tianjin Clean Energy Electric has invested 165 million yuan in the base, which covers 100 mu (approximately 6.66 hectares). The project includes an industrial base for electrical vehicles, a development center and a test centre.

The whole project will be completed before the end of next year. Tianjin Clean Energy Electric is the authorized Tianjin research center for electric vehicles. Last year, a total of 112 miniature electric vehicles were exported to the US for the first time, and that figure will rise to 500 this year.