BEIJING -- Sales of new energy vehicles (NEVs) in China surged in March, helping the country's automotive market to accelerate its green transition, data from an industry association has shown.

Last month, the retail sales of NEVs in China expanded 21.9 percent year-on-year to 543,000 units, according to the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA).

During the first quarter, the retail sales of NEVs jumped 22.4 percent year-on-year to 1.31 million units.

China-made NEVs remained popular in overseas markets. China's leading NEV manufacturer BYD saw its exports reach 13,312 units in March, while Tesla China exported 12,206 units, the CPCA said.

Data from the association also showed the retail sales of passenger cars in China reached nearly 1.59 million units in March, up 0.3 percent year-on-year.