EV sales rise by 80% to 77,000 units

Electric vehicle sales in China jumped by 80 percent last month to 77,000 models compared to the same period in 2016.

The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers reported that the figure was "beyond expectations" and was another step toward achieving this year's industry sales goal of 700,000 e-vehicles.

Development in EVs has helped China's automakers catch up with major global players, according to analysts and consultants.