Ford currently leans on multiple EV battery suppliers for its electrified products, including SK Innovation, LG Energy Solution, Panasonic, BYD, and Contemporary Amperex Technology Co (CATL) – the latter two in China only – in addition to working on its own battery joint venture with SK dubbed BlueOvalSK. Currently, SK Innovation supplies batteries for the Ford F-150 Lighting while both the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Ford E-Transit utilize LG units, but that could be changing for these and other future North American Ford EVs, according to Reuters.
CATL – the world’s largest producer of batteries – is reportedly on the verge of choosing more than one location for new U.S.-based plants that would supply batteries for BMW and Ford EVs. The report indicates that both South Carolina and Kentucky are under consideration as potential sites for these EV battery plants, where BMW and Ford already operate assembly plants, respectively. The report indicates that the South Carolina plant would presumably begin production in 2026.
CATL is in the midst of a major expansion as it aims to retain its title as the world’s largest battery manufacturer by tripling its output by 2025. Part of that plan involves building plants in countries near its customers, and CATL already purchased a facility in Glasgow, Kentucky, back in 2020.
Meanwhile, Ford is investing $7 billion in its BlueOval City complex in Kentucky, which will build both EVs and EV batteries, including the automaker’s new IonBoost units. Its joint venture partner SK Innovation continues to expand its own operations in the U.S., China, and Europe as well after spinning off its battery division into its own distinct entity. At the same time, all of these manufacturers face major challenges as raw materials shortages have caused prices to skyrocket, while EV battery prices are expected to soar by as much as 40 percent over the next two years or so.
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Comments
what about the solid state batteries under development?
I don’t know what raw materials are required for solid state batteries, hopefully they don’t require the same level. It would seem though, that if this technology is better than Lithium – Ion, that maybe that’s’ where the smart money would be funneled. Hard to know when this newer tech will become viable though.
Solid state battery tech is nowhere near ready. Therefore I assume they are still in the R&D stages and not ready to release new information. More than likely will not hear anything new regarding that anytime soon.
Hate to see Americans working for communist government owned companies, with profits funding chinese aggression around the world. Not that the US is perfect, but at least there’s a semblance of rule of law.