The Volkswagen Group is in discussions with China’s state-owned Anhui Jianghuai Automobile (JAC) over the joint development of electric vehicles in China.The two firms have signed a memorandum of understanding on a long-term partnership including talks on the establishment of a new joint venture company that would research, develop and manufacture zero-emission mobility solutions.

This would include looking at existing and future model platforms and technologies – already the Volkswagen Group has said it intends to develop more than 30 new, purely battery-powered electric vehicles (BEVs) over the next 10 years.

Mr An Jin, chairman of the Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Co, Ltd, said: “We look forward to a full scope cooperation together with Volkswagen Group, focus on new energy vehicles, to provide Chinese consumers with highly cost-effective battery-powered electric vehicle (BEV) products that promote the development of the Chinese new energy vehicle sector as well as the Chinese auto industry’s transformation and upgrading.”

The announcement follows the recent news that Daimler and Chinese manufacturer BYD have launched an upgraded el

Volkswagen AG and Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Co Ltd have signed an agreement to achieve long-term cooperation in the joint development of EVs in China

ectric vehicle with a range of 250 miles.