Feb. 2, 2010 (China Knowledge) - U.S. electric-vehicle manufacturer ZAP has signed an agreement with China’s Zhejiang Jonway Automobile Co Ltd to jointly develop an electric sport-utility vehicle, sources reported.

According to the agreement, the two companies will use ZAP’s electric drive system to transform Jonway’s A380 SUV.

The manager of Jonway’s planning department confirmed the plans, saying that a vehicle with a lithium battery power supply will be produced at Jonway’s automobile base in Taizhou, Zhejiang Province.

Zeng also said that South Korea’s Samyang Optics Co Ltd has inked deals with Jonway to buy the electric SUV.

Reportedly, the jointly-developed electric SUV will be sold mainly in the Chinese and European markets.