Electrovaya, Changan to Bring Electric Vehicle to Canada by Year End

Changan Automobile Group, Ford Motor’s (NYSE: F) China partner,
announced Tuesday that it is developing 30 electric vehicles for
delivery to Canada before the end of the year, according to Reuters.

The vehicles are a joint development, with Toronto-based
Electrovaya (EFL:TSX) building the vehicle’s electric drive train and
Changan  providing its compact model called the Ben Ben.

The companies have been working together since May, and upon
delivery to Canada, Changan will be the first Chinese automaker to
penetrate the North American market. Electrovaya will be responsible
for distribution.

No details were given as to whether the cars will be sold to the public or used in a trial program.

Though the vehicles will be assembled in Canada, Changan plans
to eventually build the vehicle in China for shipment to North America,
according to Reuters.

Last month Electrovaya, Tata Motors (NYSE: TTM) and Miljø Grenland/Innovasjon announced plans to manufacture electric vehicles in Europe, beginning with an electric version of Tata’s Indica hatchback in Norway, beginning 2009.

A week ago BYD Company Limited (1211.HK), a battery and electric vehicle maker in China, announced it has secured 10 European distributors for its plug-in hybrid vehicle.