BEIJING (Reuters) - China has shown the "utmost sincerity" over consultations relating to a European Union investigation into electric vehicle subsidies, and a comment attributed to an EU official is "grossly inconsistent with the facts," the commerce ministry said on Monday.

Jorge Toledo, the EU's ambassador to China, was quoted by media as saying Beijing had only recently responded to the bloc's request for talks.

China hopes the European side will show sincerity, push the consultation process forward and reach a mutually acceptable solution as soon as possible, the commerce ministry said in a statement.

"China is bound to take all measures to safeguard its rights and interests against any egregious practices that abuse the rules and suppress China," the ministry added.