The next-gen cells and arrays will be used to power several future Ford battery electric vehicles.Ford this year announced its commitment to invest at least $22 billion through 2025 to deliver connected, all-electric vehicles.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The next-gen cells and arrays will be used to power several future Ford battery electric vehicles.
- Ford’s global BEV plan calls for at least 240GWh of battery cell capacity by 2030, roughly 10 plants’ worth of capacity.
- Ford plans to lead the electric vehicle revolution – including by delivering fifth-generation lithium ion batteries as well as preparing for the transition to solid-state batteries.
Ford and SK Innovation announced today they have signed an MoU to create a joint venture, to be called BlueOvalSK, to produce approximately 60GWh annually in traction battery cells and array modules, starting mid-decade, with the potential to expand.
The creation of the JV is subject to definitive agreements, regulatory approvals and other conditions. The next-gen cells and arrays will be used to power several future Ford battery electric vehicles.
SK Innovation is a global energy conglomerate headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. The company has pioneered the development of mid- to large-size EV batteries since 1991 and has expanded its battery operations globally since 2010.
SK already operates a battery plant in Commerce, Georgia, USA serving two global OEMs and is expanding its production capacity in the European Union and China. SK Innovation plans to become one of the world’s top three EV battery suppliers by 2025 with over 125GWh in global production capacity.
Ford’s global BEV plan calls for at least 240GWh of battery cell capacity by 2030, roughly 10 plants’ worth of capacity. Approximately 140GWh will be required in North America, with the balance dedicated to other key regions, including Europe and China.
Ford plans to lead the electric vehicle revolution including by delivering fifth-generation lithium ion batteries as well as preparing for the transition to solid-state batteries, which promise longer range, lower cost and safer EVs for customers.
Ford this year announced its commitment to invest at least $22 billion through 2025 to deliver connected, all-electric vehicles, building on its areas of strength, starting with EV versions of its most popular nameplates including Mustang Mach-E, E-Transit and F-150 Lightning. To support its longer-term battery plans, Ford is investing in battery R&D.
Last month, Ford announced a new global battery center of excellence, named Ford Ion Park, to accelerate its battery and battery cell technology R&D, including future battery manufacturing.
Ford is building on nearly two decades of battery expertise by centralizing a cross-functional team of 150 experts in battery technology development, research, manufacturing, planning, purchasing, quality and finance to help Ford more quickly develop and manufacture battery cells and batteries, ultimately aiming to deliver more, even better, lower cost EVs for customers.
Source: indiatoday
