BMW's first battery factory outside Europe went into operation Tuesday in Shenyang, capital of Northeast China's Liaoning province, to serve the electric vehicle market.

The center, mainly supported by Chinese research teams, will develop, produce, and test batteries for BMW Brilliance.

BMW has three power batteries centers around the world.

Wei Lande, president and CEO of BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd, said the company is building a new-energy vehicle eco-system with partners, including building charging poles.

BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd, a joint venture of BMW Group and Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd, was established in Shenyang in 2003.