Earlier this year NEVS started the assembly of the first car in a batch of pre-series electric cars and the production petrol engine version has now gone into production at the former Saab plant in Trollhättan.

China will be the first market for the electric car, and NEVS partner and part owner Qingdao has already placed an initial order for a pilot fleet of 200 electric cars.

NEVs said in a statement: ‘The pace of change towards cars powered by fossil free fuels will increase and China currently has the most ambitious efforts for electrification of the vehicle fleet.’

‘Swedish expertise along with Japanese technology around batteries and new lightweight materials and our Chinese group’s focus on green technology is our strength for the future,’ added Kai Johan Jiang, NEVS founder and main owner.