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BEIJING, July 16-- China now leads the world in new energy vehicle (NEV) development, according to a survey ranking China top in its global electric vehicle development index for the first time in the second quarter of 2017. Results of the survey, the E-Mobility Index (2Q/2017), were jointly released by German consultancy Roland Berger and automobile study institute Forschungsgesellschaft Kraftfahrwesen Aachen on Tuesday. Starting in 2009, China's new energy auto industry experienced a robust expansion and it has become the world's largest market since 2017, according to a statement from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). The German consultancy's report said that China will play a leading role in the future development of the global NEV industry thanks to its strong market growth. Sales of electric cars in China grew rapidly, from less than 5,000 in 2011 to around 510,000 in 2016. Production and sales were particularly robust in June of this year, with 59,000 units sold and 65,000 produced, up 33 percent and 43.4 percent respectively from a year earlier. The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers estimated that domestic NEV sales could hit 800,000 units at the end of this year. Industry insiders attributed the impressive progress of the Chinese market to government support and simpler licensing procedures. "The output, sales and ownership of NEVs in China all accounted for more than half of global levels last year," said Chinese Vice Premier Ma Kai at a meeting in early July, adding more research should be carried out in batteries, charging technology and the construction of charging facilities. | 
