According to market research firm Rho Motion, despite a slowdown in the growth of the electric vehicle industry at the beginning of the year, global sales of electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) increased by 21% in July, showing a strong rebound.

Global sales of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids reached 1.4 million last month. About 880,000 units were sold in China, up 31% from a year earlier, while plug-in hybrid sales surged 70%.

Charles Lester, data manager at Rho Motion, said: "It's been a mixed year for the electric vehicle market. Global sales were strong, with continued growth particularly in China, North America and the emerging EV market. However, sales stagnated in the European Union and fell sharply in Germany. Eu tariffs on Chinese electric cars could further exacerbate the situation. Despite the regional situation, France and the United Kingdom were able to weather the storm and the domestic market grew. Unless decisive measures are taken, we expect these trends to continue for the rest of the year."

According to foreign media reports, electric vehicle sales in the United States and Canada rose 7.1 percent in July. The picture was less rosy in Europe, where sales fell 7.8% in July. The decline was particularly marked in Germany, where it fell by 12% in the January-July period.