China's new energy vehicle sales dipped in 2019 for the first time in at least a decade, but a senior industry official said on Jan 12 there is "no change" in the sector's long-term prospects.

Sales of electric cars and plug in hybrids totaled 1.21 million, down from 1.26 million in 2018, said Miao Wei, minister of industry and information technology, at the annual China EV 100 Forum.

Miao said the fall is the result of a number of factors including the macroeconomic environment and a cut in government subsidies starting in June.

After the cut, the subsidies fell around 70 percent from the previous year and triggered the sales fall that had lasted till November 2019.

He said sales in December totaled 163,000, basically the level before the subsidy cut, showing that the move is losing its negative effect. He promised there would not be subsidy slashes this year.

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

"There is no change in the sound and long-term development of new energy vehicles," he said.

Such vehicles' sales in China have accounted for over 50 percent of global sales since 2015, and their qualities have seen significant improvement as well.

Battery costs have fallen 85 percent from 2009, and some Chinese companies including SAIC Motor, GAC and BYD have been exporting their vehicles.

Miao said the ministry is working on guidelines for the segment's development and is expected to promulgate them soon, including the dual-credit scheme for coming years.

Carmakers in China have been demanded to produce a certain number of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids to accumulate credits. If they don't, they can purchase credits from others or get fined.

"We are setting a target that new energy vehicle sales will account for a quarter of car sales in 2025," Miao said. "It is challenging, but it will make the credits worth more money."

Dong Yang, vice-president of leading automotive think thank China EV 100, said the dual-credit plan will push new energy vehicle sales this year to past 2019 tallies.

Dong said carmakers will produce such vehicles to meet the quota, but they will have little gross profit. It will take another two to three years for them to make money and ramp up production.

He suggested authorities clarify related policies as soon as possible, including whether such vehicles will be exempt from the purchase tax after 2020.

"Give (automakers) something they can expect," Dong said. "They need a stable policy and environment."

Wang Xiaoqiu, president of SAIC Motor, China's largest carmaker, called on authorities to offer more favorable policies in terms of license plates and road rights.

SAIC and GAC, the Chinese partner of Toyota and Honda, suggested collaboration to deal with difficulties in the market.

"The industry demands a lot of money and it takes a great deal of time," Wang said.

"It also requires technologies from companies in different sectors. It will be hard for any carmaker who plays solo to stand out."

CATL, China's largest battery maker, is building a plant in Germany to serve local carmakers.

BYD Chairman Wang Chuanfu said the company has developed a new type of batteries with an energy density 1.5 times stronger than conventional batteries. Wang said the first vehicle sporting the new batteries will hit the market in June, and have a driving range of 600 km.

Chen Qingtai, president of China EV 100, expects electric vehicles to have better total ownership cost than gasoline cars by 2025.