China is leading the world in new energy vehicle assessment thanks to the country's market size and leading position in the sector, according to a top expert.

Li Wei, vice-president of the China Automotive Technology & Research Center, said on Thursday that the center is building one of the world's largest and most competent NEV testing and assessment facilities for such vehicles in Tianjin.

The center covers 20.5 hectares and the amount of investment earmarked for the facility reaches 2 billion yuan ($290 million).

"NEVs, smart functions and connectivity are the sector that we have been making most investment," said Li.

He added that the center is expanding its vehicle testing ground in Yancheng, Jiangsu province. When completed, the total area could reach 667 hectares.

"Both the size and the investment are big," said Li.

China is the world's largest market for NEVs and smart vehicles.

NEV sales stood at 6.5 million units in 2022, almost double the figure in the previous year, according to the China Passenger Car Association.

Statistics from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology show that around 30 percent of vehicles sold in China last year had connectivity features.

Li said the center's smart car program, the C-ICAP, can assess vehicles with Level 2.5 functions, and functions at Levels 3 and 4 are planned.

The center is preparing a program called the C-GCAP, with the letter G standing for green, as car buyers are more concerned about their in-car health.

The center also released on Thursday in its annual bluebook the list of models that were assessed via its new car program, the C-NCAP, last year.

Compared with the program in previous years, the 2022 version was even stricter, said the center.

A total of 12 models won the five-star ratings, accounting for 52 percent of the total.

"In terms of strictness, the C-NCAP is at the globally advanced level and it has incorporated some of our features unique in China," said Li.