Global sales of fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles rose by an annual 30.5 per cent in September, as China surpassed its record numbers recorded in August and Europe resumed growth, market research firm Rho Motion said on Tuesday. Gains in the US market have been slow and steady in anticipation of the Nov. 5 election, which makes it difficult to predict future trends in the country, data manager Charles Lester told Reuters. Why it's important Chinese carmakers are seeking to grow their sales in the EU despite import duties of up to 45 per cent and amid cooling global demand for electric cars. Chinese and European automakers were going head-to-head at the Paris car show on Monday.