Electric cars offer opportunity to cut oil imports

China should encourage the development of electric cars to offset its dependence on imported oil and reduce greenhouse emissions, automakers said.

"We are discussing with the Chinese government about our electric car plan as environmental issues are becoming a critical issue in China," Yasuaki Hashimoto, president of Nissan Motor (China) Ltd said at the Guangzhou auto show.

The company exhibited its Mixim concept electric car at the show which opened yesterday.