Ford begins US production of LFP battery cells, paving the way for cheaper EVs

19 June 2026, 13:44:05

Add as a preferred source on Google Ford has taken a decisive step toward reshoring the electric‑vehicle supply chain in the United States, beginning production of lithium‑iron‑phosphate (LFP) battery cells at its new BlueOval Battery Park in Marshall, Michigan. The move positions Ford to become the first automaker to manufacture LFP cells domestically for mainstream consumer EVs, marking a major milestone in the company's next‑generation EV strategy.

The Michigan facility has begun producing full prismatic cells using a complete end‑to‑end process, from slurry mixing and coating to formation, aging and final inspection. These early "D‑sample" cells, made with production‑intent materials, will be used for testing and validation ahead of full-scale manufacturing. Earlier this spring, the plant produced "C‑sample" cells to train workers and qualify equipment. Ford expects to begin producing launch‑ready cells before the end of 2026.

The batteries will power Ford's upcoming Universal Electric Vehicle platform, which will debut with a midsize electric pickup in 2027. Executives say the shift to LFP chemistry - which eliminates the need for nickel and cobalt - will reduce costs, simplify the supply chain, and enable more affordable EVs that can compete with low‑cost Chinese models. The company also emphasizes that domestic production strengthens supply‑chain resilience at a time when global battery sourcing remains politically and economically sensitive.

To accelerate development, Ford licensed LFP technology from China's Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL), the world's largest EV battery manufacturer. While CATL provides technical expertise and training, Ford maintains full ownership and operational control of the Michigan plant. The partnership has drawn criticism from some U.S. lawmakers, but Ford argues that licensing the technology is the fastest and most viable way to bring LFP production to the United States and reduce reliance on imported batteries.

BlueOval Battery Park Michigan currently employs more than 500 people, with hiring ramping up rapidly. Ford expects to reach 800 employees by the end of the year and ultimately grow the workforce to 1,700. Interest has been strong, with more than 11,500 job applications submitted so far.

Foreign‑made LFP batteries have already been used in the Mustang Mach‑E, and competitors such as Tesla and General Motors also rely on imported LFP cells. Domestic automakers are exploring alternative chemistries, including lithium‑manganese‑rich batteries, but those technologies are not expected to reach commercial scale until later in the decade.

News related to Ford, LFP or CATL

Ford and Geely Auto have set the stage for one of the most significant industrial shifts in Europe's automotive sector this decade, announcing a new joint venture that will turn Ford's Valencia, Spain, plant into a shared manufacturing hub for next‑generation multi‑energy vehicles. The partnership, revealed on July 23, 2026, aims to secure the long‑term future of the facility, boost competitiveness, and accelerate...

23 July 2026

CATL unveiled one of its most ambitious technology lineups to date during its Super Technology Day event in Beijing, introducing six next‑generation battery systems and a fully integrated supercharging and battery‑swapping ecosystem designed to support the future of electrified mobility. The announcements span third‑generation fast‑charging technologies, aviation‑grade condensed batteries, hybrid‑focused chemistries...

24 April 2026

CHANGAN Automobile, together with battery giant CATL, has unveiled the world's first mass‑production passenger vehicle powered by sodium‑ion batteries, marking a pivotal moment in the global transition to next‑generation energy storage. The announcement was made during the "CHANGAN SDA Intelligence Milestone Release & Sodium‑Ion Battery Global Strategy Launch," where the company confirmed that the new vehicle will...

9 February 2026

CATL, the world's largest power battery manufacturer, has begun mass production of its fifth-generation lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, marking a major step forward in energy density and cycle life. Robin Zeng, the company's founder, chairman, and CEO, announced the milestone at the 2025 World Power Battery Conference in Yibin, Sichuan, highlighting CATL's continued leadership in advancing battery...

12 November 2025

Electric vehicle (EV) sales in the U.S. are booming - and Tesla and General Motors (GM) are at the front of the pack. Why the sudden surge? Many buyers were racing to take advantage of federal tax credits worth up to $7,500 before they expired in September, thanks to the Trump administration's "One Big Beautiful Bill Act." Tesla still holds the largest slice of the EV pie, delivering over 497,000 vehicles in Q3...

5 October 2025

Automakers in North America are increasingly reducing on‑the‑road prices for battery electric vehicles by amounts close to the former $7,500 federal tax credit. Manufacturers are applying the savings in different ways: permanent MSRP adjustments, time‑limited rebates applied at the point of sale, or larger dealer incentives that lower the cash price before financing or leasing. The strategy shortens the cash gap for...

5 October 2025

CATL presented the Shenxing Pro battery at IAA Mobility 2025. This is the world's first LFP battery that can achieve a sustained high-voltage supply, maintain power, and prevent fire and smoke after thermal runaway. Equipped with CATL's proprietary NP 3.0 technology, this EV battery is available in two variants: Shenxing Pro Super Long Life & Long Range Battery: The world's first LFP battery to deliver a 758 km WLTP...

8 September 2025

CATL unveiled three groundbreaking EV battery products at its inaugural Super Tech Day: The Freevoy Dual-Power Battery, Naxtra - the world's first mass-produced sodium-ion battery, and the second-generation Shenxing Superfast Charging Battery, as well as an integrated 24V start/stop Naxtra battery for heavy-duty trucks. The Freevoy Dual-Power Battery introduces a pioneering cross-chemistry system design that...

24 April 2025

CATL officially launched the CATL Bedrock Chassis, the world's first ultra-safe skateboard chassis. With its outstanding performance of withstanding 120 km/h frontal impact without catching fire or exploding, CATL's Bedrock Chassis sets a new standard for intelligent chassis safety, providing comprehensive protection across all scenarios and speed ranges. With the battery-centered design, CATL's Bedrock Chassis...

26 December 2024

Stellantis and CATL today announced they have reached an agreement to invest up to €4.1 billion to form a joint venture that will build a large-scale European lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery plant in Zaragoza, Spain. Designed to be completely carbon neutral, the battery plant will be implemented in several phases and investment plans. Targeted to start production by end of 2026 at Stellantis’ Zaragoza, Spain...

10 December 2024

SAIC-GM announced on China's QQ network that they jointly launched with CATL the industry's first 6C ultra-fast charging lithium iron phosphate battery, setting a new technological benchmark. The first innovation in the 6C battery is the super-electronic network cathode technology built with fully nano-based ferromagnetic acid materials that improve the efficiency of electrochemical reactions and enhance the...

26 September 2024

Ford has extended its EV offering again, bringing back a fan favorite - the Ford Capri. A classic sports coupe loved by families across Europe has been reborn for an electric generation, with a new look, still in keeping with its iconic design features, but now with a modern purpose. Ford has partnered with French football legend Eric Cantona to lead the reveal of the new Capri, seen fronting the company's launch of...

10 July 2024

CATL has started building its first battery production facility in North China called. It is a joint investment between CATL, BAIC Group, Beijing Energy Group, Xiaomi Group, and others. The groundbreaking ceremony was held yesterday. Currently, CATL has 11 factories in China and 7 of those are joint ventures with Chinese automakers. This new one will be the 12th in total and the 8th joint venture. Two other CATL...

19 June 2024

CATL unveiled the world's first LFP battery that achieves a range above 1000 km with 4C superfast charging - the Shenxing PLUS. The 1000 km pure electric range comes from continuous technological breakthroughs. The cathode of Shenxing PLUS is made with a granular gradation technology, which places every nanometer particle in the optimal position to achieve ultra-high compact density. The proprietary 3D...

25 April 2024