BERLIN -- The German economy ministry said on Friday a second European battery cell production consortium was being discussed and preliminary agreements were expected by this autumn.
A spokeswoman declined to give names of potential companies taking part but added that German companies play important roles in both production consortia.
German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier said in June he expected there would be eventually probably three battery cell groups.
German business daily Handelsblatt reported earlier on Friday that Germany had agreed in principle with eight other European nations to set up a second consortium for the production and recycling of battery cells for EVs, citing Altmaier.
German companies BMW, BASF, BMZ Group, Varta are among those involved in the initiative that seeks to put regional players in a position to compete with dominant Asian suppliers, the paper cited sources as saying.
France and Germany in April initiated a first European battery cell consortium, including PSA Group with its German subsidiary Opel and French battery maker Saft.
