Ford’s Battery Supplier
Ford’s battery supplier is SK Innovation, a South Korea-based company. Ford and SK Innovation have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for a joint venture called BlueOval SK to manufacture battery cells and arrays in the U.S. The joint venture is expected to produce approximately 60 gigawatt hours (GWh) annually with the potential to expand, starting mid-decade. By 2030, Ford expects annual energy demand for its vehicles to be up to 140 GWh annually in North America and up to 240 GWh globally. Additionally, Ford has invested in and is working with a number of battery suppliers to secure capacity and scale delivery for next-generation Ford and Lincoln battery electric vehicles.
Ford is also building twin lithium-ion battery plants in central Kentucky through the joint venture with SK Innovation called BlueOvalSK, as well as a massive 3,600-acre campus in west Tennessee. This investment is part of Ford’s plan to produce electric vehicles and batteries, and it is expected to create nearly 11,000 jobs.
Furthermore, Ford is committed to sourcing its EV batteries from suppliers rather than producing them itself. This decision allows Ford to access the latest technology and innovation across multiple suppliers and avoid potential issues related to changes in battery technology or fluctuations in customer demand for electric vehicles.
In addition to SK Innovation, Ford has also partnered with Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd. (CATL) to provide full LFP battery packs for certain Ford models, such as the Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightnings.
Overall, Ford’s collaboration with SK Innovation and other battery suppliers reflects its commitment to securing the necessary battery capacity and technology to support its ambitious electric vehicle production goals.
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Contents
- Does Ford make their own batteries?
- Who is the supplier of lithium for Ford?
- Where does Ford get their lithium batteries?
- Who does Ford get their batteries from?
- Who is the partner of the Ford battery plant?
- Does Ford make its own batteries?
- Who manufactures Ford Motorcraft batteries?
- Where does Ford get its lithium batteries?
- What battery is Ford using?
- Who owns Motorcraft batteries?
Does Ford make their own batteries?
Ford’s new plant will produce batteries that include lithium, iron and phosphate, a combination known as LFP. These batteries are less expensive because they do not include expensive ingredients like cobalt and nickel used in other batteries. LFP batteries also have the advantage of being more durable.
Who is the supplier of lithium for Ford?
Ford’s recent lithium supplier agreements
| Supplier | Headquarters | Deal timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Nemaska Lithium | Montreal, Canada | 11 years |
| Albemarle Corporation | Charlotte, North Carolina | 2026 to 2030 |
| Compass Minerals | Overland Park, Kansas | Expected to start 2025 |
| SQM | Santiago, Chile | N/A |
Where does Ford get their lithium batteries?
The lithium hydroxide supplied to Ford will be domestically produced in the US or originating in a country with a US free trade agreement, Albemarle added. Albemarle operates two lithium brine operations to extract raw material, one in the Salar de Atacama in Chile and the other in Clayton Valley, Nevada.
Who does Ford get their batteries from?
CATL
Ford, which is currently sourcing LFP batteries from CATL, follows Tesla in using LFP batteries in a portion of its vehicles in part to reduce the amount of cobalt needed to make battery cells and high-voltage battery packs.
Who is the partner of the Ford battery plant?
SK On and Ford are building battery plants in Tennessee and Kentucky with production set to start in 2025. The automaker in October delayed the planned start of a second Kentucky facility after tapping the brakes on its $50 billion shift to electric vehicles as sales slow.
Does Ford make its own batteries?
Ford’s new plant will produce batteries that include lithium, iron and phosphate, a combination known as LFP. These batteries are less expensive because they do not include expensive ingredients like cobalt and nickel used in other batteries. LFP batteries also have the advantage of being more durable.
Who manufactures Ford Motorcraft batteries?
Motorcraft batteries are made by Johnson Controls. The four largest domestic battery manufacturers are Johnson Controls (Interstate, Motorcraft, Energizer, older Diehards), Delco (Sears, newer Diehards), GNB (Champion) and Exide (NAPA).
Where does Ford get its lithium batteries?
Charlotte, North Carolina-based Albemarle will supply Ford with more than 100,000 metric tons of battery-grade lithium hydroxide, either domestically produced or originating in a country with Free Trade Agreement with the United States. The quantity will power approximately 3 million future Ford EV batteries.
What battery is Ford using?
Ford claims it is the first automaker to commit to developing two separate battery chemistries for its EVs at the same time: lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and nickel cobalt manganese (NCM). (Tesla is also producing vehicles with LFP batteries.)
Who owns Motorcraft batteries?
Motorcraft is an auto part brand owned and operated by Ford Motor Company. Products under the “Motorcraft” brand include spark plugs, batteries, brakes, fuel filters, A/C condensers and accumulators, motor oil, automatic transmission fluid, among other goods.
