SALES of all types of electric vehicles rose more than 40 per cent in China last year, while those of petrol-powered cars plunged, industry data showed today.

A massive total of 31.4 million vehicles were sold last year in the world’s biggest market by sales, up 4.5 per cent compared from a year earlier, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers reported. 

Growth in sales outpaced production, which rose 3.7 per cent.