(Yicai Global) Feb. 2 -- A unit under Chinese auto giant Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Co., better known as BAIC Group, will supply new-energy buses for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing and Hebei.

Beiqi Foton Motor Co. will supply 49 hydrogen-fueled buses for the renowned event, Sohu Auto reported yesterday. The vehicles will operate alongside 600 electric buses under Foton's AUV brand through the first half of this year in Zhangjiakou, Hebei province, to help the city improve its international reputation.

The AUV buses are in their fourth generation and available in different lengths: 8.5 meters, 10.5 meters and 12 meters. They can be used as inner- and inter-city buses or for shuttle services. Its first-gen version carried passengers for the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.

China has been on a tear in the new-energy vehicle sector. Last year, the market grew 30 times faster than the global average as vehicle makers in the country sold 198,000 electric commercial vehicles, many of which were buses.

The 2022 Winter Olympics will begin on Feb. 4 that year and run until Feb. 20. The event will be the third time China has hosted an Olympic event. It also hosted the Nanjing Youth Olympic Games in 2014.