If producing electric vehicles (EVs) were an Olympic sport, China would dominate the medal podium. China now leads the world in the sale and export of EVs, a term encompassing everything from battery-powered cars to plug-in hybrids. Chinese companies also produce the lion's share of the rechargeable batteries that keep EVs running.

Chinese car brands have suffered a steep drop in domestic sales this year, with Beijing scaling back subsidies and buyers reluctant to spend.

If producing electric vehicles (EVs) were an Olympic sport, China would dominate the medal podium. China now leads the world in the sale and export of EVs, a term encompassing…

The global green shift is providing a way for emerging economies to catch up with global powerhouses, with help from China’s supply chain.