Iranian private sector plans to cooperate with Chinese industrial units in manufacturing electric cars, in an attempt to reduce air pollution in Iran, Press TV reports.

During a visit of an Iranian delegation to several industrial units engaged in producing electric cars in Chinese eastern city of Shanghai, the two sides agreed to exchange experiences in manufacturing various types of electric vehicles.

According to Ali Mohammad Sha'eri, deputy director of Iran's Environment Protection Organization (IEPO), the organization will support Iranian industrialists in producing electronic busses and minibuses next year.

For the time being, more than 10,000 worn-out minibuses are plying Iranian roads and streets, he said, adding to this end, utilizing the new technology for mass production of electric public transportation vehicles is of high importance.

Earlier, a study by the Air Quality Control Company indicated that in Tehran cars produce at least 4,400 tons of air pollutants every day and 1.6 million tons a year.

The main air pollutants are the common smog-creating pollutants, toxic gases and greenhouse gases. Vehicles are also the main culprits when it comes to carbon monoxide and nitrogen-oxide emissions and suspended particulate matter.