(Yicai Global) Jan. 17 -- Major Chinese carmaker BAIC Group has secured an approval from authorities in South Korea to introduce electric buses in the country.

The country's transport ministry officially gave the green-light to BAIC Motor Korea for the Green Town medium-sized buses, it said in a statement.

The 8.5-meter-long buses are suitable for use in communities and on short-distance city routes, the statement said.

BAIC still requires approvals from South Korea's environment ministry and local government as new energy vehicles involve subsidies on national and local levels, according to an official in the country, adding that this process will take another two to three months.

BAIC Motor Korea eyes the country's bus sector as the government has brought in policies in recent years requiring the introduction of more low-floor buses to make life more convenient for the elderly and disabled, a representative of the company told Yicai Global.

The unit also plans to introduce some other NEVs in the country including the medium-sized EU5 electric car and the X3 small electric sports utility vehicle.

Korean majors Hyundai Motor and Daewoo make up a combined market share in the country's passenger vehicle market of more than 90 percent, while the remainder is divided among small and medium-sized firms and foreign companies.