HANGZHOU, China: Despite the pandemic, global sales of electric vehicles (EVs) increased by 43 per cent in 2020. Total EV sales in China were 1.3 million, an increase of 8 per cent compared to 2019, and 41 per cent of all EVs sold worldwide. Though Europe sold more than China for the first time since 2015, [China is still the world’s biggest national market for EVs](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/chinas-electric-vehicle-makers-report-strong-july-sales-2093921) . The best-selling EV in China is not Tesla’s Model 3, but the tiny [Hongguang Mini EV](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/gm-ventures-mini-car-becomes-chinas-most-sold-ev-surpassing-teslas-model-3-677606) , produced by SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile, a joint venture between China’s state-owned SAIC Motor, US carmaker General Motors...