(Yicai Global) Dec. 8 -- New energy vehicle sales in China more than doubled last month from the same period last year to 378,000 units, as electric cars become more popular, according to the latest figures.

NEVs accounted for 20.8 percent of all car sales in China last month, up from 18.6 percent in October and 5.8 percent in 2020, according to data released by the China Passenger Car Association today. Among Chinese brands, electric cars accounted for 37.4 percent of sales.

BYD was once again China’s top EV seller, shifting 90,546 vehicles, followed by Tesla with 52,589 autos and SAIC-GM-Wuling with 50,141 units. Fourteen carmakers had sales over 10,000.

The chip shortage might ease in December, said CPCA Secretary-General Cui Dongshu. And the early arrival of the Chinese New Year holiday in the beginning of February could also help boost the market, he added.

Sales of all types of passenger vehicles slumped 12.7 percent in November year on year to 1.8 million, according to the CPCA. FAW-Volkswagen, Geely Automobile and SAIC Volkswagen were the top three sellers with 133,000, 123,000 and 113,000 units respectively.

Exports leapt 79 percent to 170,000 cars. Some 22 percent of these were NEVs, with California-based Tesla exporting 21,127 cars and SAIC 6,110.

In the eleven months ended Nov. 30, China’s car sales were up 6.1 percent year on year to 18 million.

Editor: Kim Taylor