Tesla Motors and China-based phone carrier China Unicom announced Friday that they are teaming up to push for greater use of electric cars in China.
The partnership will have the two companies build 400 charging stations for the vehicles in 120 cities in China, and Tesla will be given the task of operating the stations, according to Associated Press. Tesla and Unicom will also build 20 "supercharger stations" in 20 cities to make sure drivers have access to high-speed charging.
Beijing's support for electric car technology and push to reduce smog has made China a potential market for the vehicles.
China is looking to improve energy-efficiency for driving with a new plan aimed at making sure that alternative energy is used in at least 30 percent of new government-owned vehicles, PC Magazine reported.
The country also announced Friday that people who buy electric cars built largely by Chinese automakers would get a tax break. Such vehicles are mentioned on a list that includes models from General Motors, Nissan, and Daimler AG.
China had 200 charging points provided by Tesla before the partnership was announced, Associated Press reported.
"This cooperation will accelerate the Tesla charging network nationwide," Peggy Yang, spokeswoman for Tesla, said in an email.
Other automakers are looking to set up charging stations in China as well, with BMW announcing in May that it is working with state-owned utility State Grid to build 50 charging stations in the country.
The new charging stations would help Tesla take on competing automakers in the Chinese electric vehicle market, PC Magazine reported. The Palo Alto, California-based company has already taken a strong position in the market with help from Chinese businessman Yi Zong, who paid to have recharging stations built in 16 cities between Beijing and Guangzhou.
