The United Autoworkers’ strike doubtless has multiple causes, but the transition to EVs is certainly one bone of contention. EVs are simpler machines than legacy vehicles, and many expect this to translate into less demand for human labor. A wave of new battery plants will surely create new jobs, but some fear that automakers will… Read more »
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Is the Ford/Tesla charging agreement as big a deal as everyone thinks?
Unless you’ve just emerged from an internet-free retreat, you’ve surely heard that Tesla and Ford are planning to cooperate to open up the former’s Supercharger network to drivers of the latter’s EVs. The announcement quickly took over every EV-related news feed. Is this deal really as “surprising,” “unprecedented” and “game-changing” as people are saying? Yes… Read more »
SK On partners with Westwater Resources to develop anode materials in US
South Korean battery manufacturer SK On has signed a joint development agreement (JDA) with US graphite company Westwater Resources (NYSE: WWR) as part of efforts to strengthen its battery raw material supply chain in North America. Under the agreement, the two companies will work together to develop environmentally responsible anode materials tailored for SK On… Read more »
New Ford E-Transit Courier will offer more cargo space, new connectivity features
Ford Pro has unveiled a new version of the Ford Transit commercial van. The new Transit Courier will be available in Europe with a range of legacy engines later this year, and an electric version, the E-Transit Courier, is to follow in 2024. All models will be built by Ford Otosan in Craiova, Romania. (Ford… Read more »
Ford to build new LFP battery plant in Michigan
Ford plans to invest $3.5 billion to build an LFP battery plant in Marshall, Michigan. BlueOval Battery Park Michigan will initially employ 2,500 people when production begins in 2026. The automaker will offer LFP (lithium iron phosphate) as a second battery chemistry option in addition to NCM (nickel cobalt manganese), allowing customers to choose an… Read more »
Ford establishes requirements for dealers to sell EVs
Auto dealers have long been considered a bottleneck for EV sales, and automakers that are serious about selling EVs are working closely with their dealers to make the necessary changes (and to weed out those who really don’t want to go electric). Ford has now unveiled an electrification strategy to its 3,000-strong dealer network. Dealers… Read more »
Ford Pro delivers preproduction units of new E-Transit van to selected fleet customers
Ford says its 2022 E-Transit van is showing up to work a little early. Through a Ford Pro pilot program, several companies, including Penske Truck Leasing and National Grid, have taken delivery of preproduction units of the E-Transit van. The pilot vans will be operating in fleets serving the rental, delivery, service, maintenance, telecom and… Read more »
Ford unveils big plans for an EV factory and 3 battery plants in Tennessee and Kentucky
Here at Charged, we don’t usually repeat superlative claims—“the first, the biggest, the fastest”—we leave those to the Guinness Book of Records. In this case, however, we’ll make an exception. Ford says its plan to build two new manufacturing complexes in Tennessee and Kentucky represents “the largest ever manufacturing investment at one time by any… Read more »
Ford and Redwood Materials to collaborate on battery recycling
Redwood Materials, the battery materials firm founded by Tesla cofounder JB Straubel, has announced a partnership with Ford. The two companies will work together to “create a closed loop for battery recycling and a domestic supply chain for critical battery materials.” Ford also made a strategic investment of $50 million in Redwood. “Excited to work… Read more »
Ford raises its EV game: 40% pure EVs by 2030, new platforms, new battery initiatives and more
In a virtual meeting with investors, Ford outlined a plethora of plans to expand its electrification efforts. There was a big bundle of news, which will take the media some days to fully unpack, but the gist of it is that, under a plan dubbed Ford+, the automaker will be allocating capital to three priority… Read more »