BYD models are displayed at an auto show in Changchun, Jilin province. (ZHANG NAN / XINHUA)

BEIJING - Sales of new energy vehicles (NEVs) in China surged in January as the market gained steam prior to the Chinese New Year holiday, data from the China Passenger Car Association showed on Monday.

Approximately 347,000 NEVs were sold in China last month, soaring 132 percent year on year but down 27 percent from the previous month, the data showed.

Approximately 347,000 NEVs were sold in China last month, soaring 132 percent year on year but down 27 percent from the previous month, the data from the China Passenger Car Association showed on Monday

China's NEV output surged 141 percent year on year to reach 428,000 units during the period.

Chinese NEV manufacturers reported strong wholesale figures in January, with 11 reporting figures above 10,000 units.

China's leading NEV manufacturer BYD reported a wholesale figure of 93,101 units last month, followed by Tesla China's 59,845 units, according to the association.

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In January, NEV sales were weak in the first 10 days due to concentrated deliveries at the end of 2021, but showed clear signs of a rebound in the second and third weeks, the association said.