As the impact of global warming accelerates, international automakers are allocating more resources to develop environmental friendly green autos, aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions. While some globally renowned vehicles makers, such as Volkswagen AG, General Motor and Toyota Motor, have already unveiled their new energy hybrid autos, a few automakers in the mainland are also taking a step onto the battlefield.

Shanghai-based SAIC Motor, one of the top three automakers in the mainland, has announced it's setting up a venture with its parent Shanghai Automotive Industry to invest 2 billion yuan in developing hybrid and electric auto technology in the city. The hybrid autos will be powered by gasoline or diesel together with electricity.

Electric vehicle maker and the largest manufacturer of rechargeable batteries on the mainland, BYD Auto has also signed a strategic partnership with MidAmerican Energy, a subsidiary of Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway. The partnership is expected to enhance BYD's development of green autos and further promote the company's electric vehicles to the North American market. Its first all-electric vehicles will be unveiled in the mainland by the end of 2009.