The British and European car industries had lobbied for a delay in a measure that would have added costly tariffs to many electric vehicles.
Chinese electric vehicle companies like Nio are pulling ever further ahead, partly through government support but also rapid technological advances.
The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, announced the inquiry amid growing concern about China’s dominance over electric vehicles.
China, an electric-vehicle juggernaut, will have at least seven brands on display, while Germany’s automakers are now a drag on their home economy.
Readers react to a guest essay saying prosecution may have “terrible consequences.” Also: Climate ruling; charging stations for E.V.s; public plazas.
The German automaker lowered its outlook for deliveries and announced changes to its China strategy as it struggles to regain ground lost to other automakers.
Elon Musk’s electric car company is facing intensifying competition from newer Chinese automakers and established Western car companies.
The European Union is trying to assemble the building blocks to produce electric cars, but subsidies are luring companies to the United States.
A medida que el mundo cambia a fuentes de energía más limpias, el control sobre los materiales necesarios para impulsar esa transición sigue en disputa.
The United States is entering an array of agreements to secure the critical minerals necessary for the energy transition, but it’s not clear which of the arrangements can succeed.