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 cars, citing Altmaier.