Two French industry giants, carmaker Renault and electricity firm EDF, paired up Thursday to launch a new project that could put more French drivers behind the wheels of electric cars.

The chairmen of the two groups signed a partnership deal to develop an "electric mobility operator", a full charging network for electric vehicles that would be up and running in 2011.

The plan would provide for charging spots and battery exchange stations across France, allowing motorists to drive further than the maximum range of 200 kilometers (120 miles) of the current car batteries.

Developing easy ways to recharge electric cars is seen as a key condition for mass marketing of the zero-emission vehicles, said Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn.

Over the next two years, the partners will study engineering requirements, national and European regulations and all necessary technical procedures with a view to a launch of the new network in 2011.

One proposal under study would allow for car owners to lease batteries and all the energy needed to run it for a monthly fee, said Renault spokeswoman Rochelle Chimenes.

Saying the agreement will give a new "impulse" to electric cars in France, EDF chief Pierre Gadonneix estimated that consumers will pay the equivalent of two euros for the electricity necessary to drive 100 kilometres (62 miles) in an electric car.

Renault is vying to become a "pioneer" in the new market, said Ghosn, with plans to manufacture electric cars and the batteries needed to operate them in France.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Paris motor show, Gadonneix said EDF has a fleet of 1,500 electric vehicles and has signed agreements with Toyoto and Peugeot to develop solutions to meet the energy needs of hybrid cars.