The Australian company that was meant to buy failed battery firm Britishvolt has missed the deadline to pay for the business, casting doubt on the deal.
Filings from administrators EY show that the final instalment of a total payment of £8.57m, which was due on 5 April, is still outstanding.
EY said that the buyer, Recharge Industries, had therefore defaulted on its agreement to buy the business.
However, Recharge Industries said: “We dispute we are in default.”
Britishvolt had planned to build a massive £4bn car battery factory in the north-east of England, but went into administration in January after running out of money.