Researchers at the Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology (QIBEBT), a branch of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, have recently developed the country's first lead-free lithium ion batteries. The batteries are capable of a watt-hour cost as low as 0.5 yuan ($0.07).

China is ready to initiate the industrialized production and large scale application of the technology.

Electric vehicles have made a great contribution to the reduction of carbon emissions in the country in recent years. Most electric vehicles are presently powered by lead-acid cells which possess marked advantages in cost, however, can cause serious soil pollution. The practical application of lithium-ion batteries has mainly been restricted due to their high costs.

QIBEBT has been working with LEVDEO Group, a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, to further develop electric vehicles into a completely environmental-friendly means of conveyance.