At a forum during the auto show, Xiao Yong, deputy manager of GAC New Energy Automobile, said that the change from State V emissions standards to State VI－which came a year earlier than the national plan－and the cut in government subsidies starting in June resulted in the runaway cost regulation of new energy vehicle companies.

Meanwhile, the sales of last year cannot represent the situation this year.

Early this month, Miao Wei, minister of industry and information technology, said at the annual China EV 100 Forum that there would not be substantial subsidy slashes this year.

He said China's new energy vehicle industry has gained a lead globally and the country will continue the strategy to consolidate the momentum.

An Jiheng, vice-president of electric vehicle startup Aiways, shares optimism about new energy vehicle sales this year.

He said drivers would find that the usage cost of new energy vehicles is low. When the electric vehicles are higher-quality, safer and more intelligent, customers' acceptance will increase, he claimed.

Xiang Dongping, chief marketing officer of Chinese electric car startup Enovate, said it's not easy to promote industry development, which is in need of support from governments, the media and manufacturers.

Wang Xiangrui, president of China Machinery Industry Federation, said Chinese carmakers need to boost industry development and upgrade its structure by strengthening collaborative innovation, upgrading capabilities and accelerating technological breakthroughs of pure electric, plug-in hybrids and fuel cells.

Through high-level cooperation, Chinese carmakers will promote advanced technologies, such as digital and autonomous driving technology, to expand new development in the auto industry, he added.