Jan. 20, 2010 (China Knowledge) - BYD Co<1211>, China's largest rechargeable battery maker and a well-known automobile producer, said on Monday that it has obtained regulatory approval to produce its first all-electric car e6 in China, the Shanghai Daily reported.

The plug-in e6 sedan is expected to be launched in the first half of this year for about RMB 300,000. It will be mainly supplied to the governments, public services and taxi fleets.

BYD earlier this month showcased its e6 at the North America International Auto Show in Detroit, which is the world's most important auto show. It also plans to sell the e6 car in the U.S. at the end of this year for about US$40,000.

The BYD e6 is a pure electric vehicle that can run 200 miles on a single charge. It is powered by BYD's Fe lithium iron phosphate battery.

Shenzhen-based BYD recently raised its 2010 full-year sales target to 800,000 vehicles from the previous 700,000.