Ford to Build its Own EV Batteries with SK Innovation
Following the official debut of the all-new 2022 F-150 Lightning last night, Ford announced the creation of a joint venture with South Korea’s SK Innovation—to be called BlueOvalSK—to manufacture traction battery cells and array modules for future electric vehicles.
The goal is to produce approximately 60 GWh annually starting mid-decade, with potential to expand afterwards.
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Ford’s global BEV plan calls for at least 240 GWh of battery cell capacity by 2030. Approximately 140 GWh will be required in North America.
SK Innovation has specialized in the development and commercialization of high-nickel NCM battery technology including the world’s first Nickel 9 battery that will be mass produced in the U.S., powering the aforementioned F-150 Lightning. The electric pickup offers two different packs, one with 370 kilometres of range and the other allowing 483 kilometres.
To support its longer-term battery plans, Ford last month announced a new global battery center of excellence—Ford Ion Park—to accelerate its battery and battery cell technology R&D by centralizing a cross-functional team of 150 experts.
Even more recently, Ford increased its investment in Solid Power to accelerate further development of solid-state vehicle battery technology. These batteries don’t use liquid electrolyte, are lighter and safer, boast greater energy density, and provide significantly more range than conventional lithium-ion batteries.