(Yicai Global) Nov. 1 -- With the shift to new energy vehicles well under way in China, safety issues have come increasingly to the fore, particularly those involving fire risk.

More than 40 cases of fire involving NEVs were reported since the start of the year, the State Administration for Market Regulation said on its website yesterday. During the past 10 months, the agency has launched 10 investigations, carried out five on-site fire inspections, and called on five automakers to conduct five recalls involving 356,000 defective vehicles.

The regulator did not identify the companies or vehicle models linked to the recalls. The defects were mainly caused by electronic control and mechanical failures, it said.

China is the world's largest producer and consumer of eco-friendly vehicles. NEV sales in the country make up half the global market for non-fossil fuel cars, with the long-term goal to phase out vehicles that use gasoline and diesel. NEW sales jumped 40 percent to 1.6 million units last year, according to the regulator.

It added that since vehicle fires can result from electrical circuits, fuel cells, mechanical interference or external factors, evidence can be destroyed or altered, making analysis difficult. The regulator also said it will strengthen supervision to ensure safety.

Editor: Emmi Laine