BEIJING -- China will hold promotional activities for new-energy vehicles (NEVs) in rural areas this year, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) said Wednesday.

Local governments will release policies on NEVs and participating enterprises will unveil preferential measures, said a notice posted on the website of the MIIT.

To be carried out by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, these activities are aimed at promoting the use of NEVs in rural areas and boost the rural vitalization strategy.

Domestic NEV players including the Beijing Electric Vehicle Co, the electric car-making arm of Beijing Automotive Group Co Ltd and Great Wall Motor Co Ltd will take part in the promotional activities with several car models, according to the notice.

Official data showed NEV sales in China posted robust growth in June, as the world's largest auto market steadily expands its recovery. Some 104,000 NEVs were sold last month, up 26.8 percent from the previous month.