There are more direct and indirect support measures in the pipeline from the central and local governments, said analysts.

For example, Shenzhen has become the latest city to limit the issue of new license plates and the move might be a boost for sales of renewable energy cars.

The southern metropolis will limit new plates to 100,000 per year, with 20,000 allocated to electric cars. In January, the city said it would establish a 5 billion yuan fund to support promotion of new - energy vehicles.

The BYD Qin, a plug-in hybrid compact sedan, was the best seller in China last year with sales of 14,747 units. The vehicle is assembled by BYD Auto, which is partly owned by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc.