When Chinese car company BYD announced it was moving its North American headquarters to Los Angeles in April this year, California’s governor Arnold Schwarzenegger waxed lyrical about the company, which is backed by billionaire investor Warren Buffet. “Anytime Warren Buffet puts $300m in a company you know this is a serious company and this is a serious company here,” said the so-called “jobinator”.

The battery-turned-electric car company is so serious about doing business in California that it announced on Thursday that it plans to supply the State of California with all-electric buses for public projects by the end of next year. But it is in for an intellectual property challenge or two.

The idea of a Chinese automobile company supplying green technology to the mecca for all things pure and clean seems counter intuitive. On closer look though it is a perfect match: with it’s finances suffering, the Golden State could do with a little help from some cash-rich Chinese friends. And Chinese companies can be sure to find the kind of talent they need to further develop green technology.