About 20 electric vehicles will make their national debut on the streets of Beijing at the end of the year, says the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission.

In an exhibition hall of the on-going sixth China Beijing International Science and Technology Industrial Expo, a chic new electric vehicle attracted attention from many visitors.

An Expo staff member said the vehicle, which uses electric batteries as a power source and generates no pollutants, is expected to help improve the city's air quality.

According to the Beijing municipal government's overall city management program, about 1,000 electric vehicles will be used at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

(Xinhua News Agency September 15, 2003)