A Shanghai brand electric automobile (Photo : Getty Images News)
Sales of electric cars to China went up to 44,874 in December, which is a 27-percent year-over-year increase and far more than those sold in the U.S. and Europe.
The number substantially boosted sales of electric cars in China to 351,861 in 2016, which is approximately 46 percent of worldwide sales. It also pushed China's market share, which rose to a record 1.45 percent, above the 0.8 percent jump by the United Staes and the 1.3 percent increase in Europe.
However, the number is much less that the 60,000 electric cars analysts expected to be sold in China in December.
China overtook the U.S. and Europe in annual sales of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids in 2015, and the Chinese government is continuing to offer investments to further spur plug-in vehicle development.
Last month's top five best-selling models were Geely Emgrand EV at number one, folowed by BAIC EC180, Chery Arrizo 7 PHEV, BYD e6, and BYD e5.
Geely Emgrand EV, which has a 45 kWh battery and over 250 km range, posted 6,023 registrations last month.
There are over 70 models available in the Chinese electric car market, considered as the most dynamic on earth.
The Chinese are responsible for 43 percent of all electric vehicle production in 2016.
BYD Tang, China's best-selling electric car, sold 31,000 units, or just 9 percent of the plug-in market.
Meanwhile, BYD e6, which posted 7,715 registrations in the fourth quarter, was at 3rd place with its record of 20,605 registrations.
BYD remains China's top electric vehicle manufacturer with 28 percent, despite losing 3 percent market share. BAIC is at second place with 12 percent and Zotye is at third spot with 11 percent.
Tesla is best-selling foreign car manufacturer in China with 3 percent market share in 2016 followed by Porsche with 1 percent.
