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ROME, May 22-- Italy's drive toward more widespread electric car usage may have hit a speed bump in the form of a high-stakes competition case between Internet search giant Google and Enel, Italy's largest electric utility. Italy's antitrust regulator has opened up a probe to determine whether Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet Corp., is dominating a dominant position in the mobile phone sector to limit Enel's ability to publicize its electric car recharge network. "All companies do everything they can to compete, but the question for Italian antitrust officials is whether Google is being unfair in its fight against Enel," Luca de Grazia, an attorney specializing in competition law, told Xinhua. The case rests on Google's decision not to allow the Enel X Recharge app to integrate with the Android Auto app, which allows owners of smart phones using Google's Android operating system to use apps through their cars while driving. The Enel app works directly through Android phones, as well as on the Apple iOS operating system and the iOS CarPlay app. Android is the dominant operating system in Italy, accounting for around 74 percent of all smart phones. Apple's iOS is the second with 24 percent, with other rivals far behind. Enel X Recharge is designed to help drivers easily locate the closest electric car battery charging system while on the road. Not having access to the Android Auto app makes the Enel app far less viable. | 
