Iran, China to Jointly Produce Electric Vehicles: Deputy Industry Minister

Speaking in an interview with IRNA, Manouchehr Manteqi said six Iranian auto manufacturing companies including the country’s two largest automakers SAIPA Automotive Group and Iran Khodro Industrial Group (IKCO) have inked a contract with Chinese firms for joint production of electric vehicles.

China is currently considered the leading country in the field of producing electric vehicles in the world, he said, adding that various countries are interested in cooperating with China for electrifying their cars and concluding technological contracts with this Asian country.

The Iranian Ministry of Industry has compiled a comprehensive program for the competitiveness of the electric cars industry, he said adding that using electric cars accurately and taking advantage of its advantages in reducing fuel consumption and improving the situation of air pollution have been taken into consideration in the first stage.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Manteqi pointed to the after-sales services of electric cars and added that a customer who uses this product should be fully supported and effective steps have been taken in this regard to gain the satisfaction of customers.

The deputy minister of industry also pointed out that charging stations will be set up in both inner- and inter-cities areas, with the former being developed in cooperation with the municipalities while the inter-city charging stations will be developed by automakers observing requirements of the national standards.

Manteqi also pointed to the construction of electric cars by knowledge-based companies and noted that there are several competent knowledge-based companies in the country which have been instructed to manufacture parts and equipment for the production of electric cars.