Ford BlueOval Battery Park Michigan was announced earlier this year, as the latest Ford EV battery plant facility to be built in the United States. When it comes online in 2026, the manufacturing center is expected to churn out lithium iron phosphate batteries for the automaker’s second generation electric vehicles. However, not everyone in Michigan is happy about its existence. As Ford Authority recently reported, opponents in the city of Marshall filed a petition in an effort to stop it from being built. That effort has now failed, according to a new report by WWMT News 3.
As it turns out, the Marshall City Clerk rejected the petition due to a lack of valid signatures and other issues. The “Committee to Save Marshall not the Megasite” apparently collected 800 signatures, but a legal review determined only 136 were valid, which did not meet the 578 signature threshold. The group filed the petition over a grievance regarding rezoning, as 700 acres of land were transferred to the city from Marshall township, with the land promptly being rezoned as industry after transfer, essentially paving the way for the Ford EV battery plant.
“With this petition drive now rejected, we can focus on the exciting work ahead of creating local jobs for people today and long into the future so young people in our community won’t have to move away from the Marshall area to find a career,” Choose Marshall CEO, Jim Durian said.
Site prep has begun at the future site of the Ford EV battery plant, which is expected to employ at least 2,500 people when it comes online in 2026. It will utilize battery technology from CATL but will be an entity wholly owned by Ford, which has prompted some criticism and pushback from U.S. representatives. Currently, Ford is planning for a two million annual EV production run rate by the end of 2025. The Michigan facility is expected to produce batteries for 400,000 vehicles per year.
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Comments
Ford STILL needs to get the raw material from CHINA, and who knows what else and at what cost. This is the MAJOR PROBLEM with this liberal president pushing electric cars, which, according to AAA’s last research, EV’s now cost MORE to run than ICE’s . Furthermore, the warranty for EV’s does NOT transfer to another owner, and those batteries will only last 4 to 6 years before replacement, meaning, $20,000 to $40,000 to replace. I’m from Marshall MI, and this plant will destroy this town, cause major tax hardship to the schools, because FORD won’t have to pay TAXES FOR DECADES!
Sorry sir, you are mistaken in your belief that EVs are more expensive to operate than ICE vehicles. I am 72, college educated, grew up in a car centred family (Dad was a mechanic and auto parts specialist) in a car centred city. I have owned Fords and GMs since I was licenced to drive. My first EV is my Mach E which I have owned for over 2 years. The electricity to charge at home costs me between $40 and $50 a month. Only in my young years were my gas bills that low and I went nowhere then.
I have only paid to buy cabin filters (self installed) and windshield washer fluid for the Mac E. I will likely do brake pads at the end of summer but I have done those on many cars over the years.
The battery is warranted for 8 years or 100,000 miles (160,000 km). My average range after recharging overnight at home is over 450 km (280 miles) and I can DC fast charge up to 80% in about 30-40 minutes or less while I eat lunch or shop on trips. The cost, about $20-$25 which is about 1/3 the cost to comparatively refuel my last Ford Edge.
New battery technology utilizes materials and minerals that can mainly be obtained in North America with less reliance on offshore supply.
I regret I do not know your motivation or circumstance in Marshall but I come from and live close to GM Assembly, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada and less than 60 miles from Ford, Oakville Assembly plant. These plants provide good jobs, boost the economy locally and beyond and are good corporate citizens.
Blaming politicians is an easy game, getting educated, informed and involved in the improvement of our world is not.
@EB1959 EVs do not cost more than ICE cars to run, that is false. I have a Tesla Model Y for 18 months, and I have spent $140 on maintenance, air filters and tire rotation, no oil changes, no tune ups etc. Most ICE cars will cost more than $140 for your first service appointment. No scheduled service for my car, and no one maintenance on the breaks due to regen braking. Another false statement regarding warranty, warranty DOES transfer to another owner. Batteries have an 8 year or 120,000 mile warranty and you are guaranteed 70% of your original range, or free battery replacement. EV batteries are much more sophisticated than there were just a few years ago.
Oh Tesla guy! How about the purchase price of your Y? How about charging costs? Home charger cost? Driving passion? And “tune ups” on ice vehicles are almost unheard of, spark plugs at 120,000 miles, oil changes 10,000 miles, air filter 30,000. Oh yes did I mention driving passion!