Ford Launches Ford Energy for 2027 Battery Storage Sales as Shares Jump 13%
Updated
Updated · WIRED · May 16
Ford Launches Ford Energy for 2027 Battery Storage Sales as Shares Jump 13%
13 articles · Updated · WIRED · May 16
Late-2027 deliveries are planned for Ford Energy, a new subsidiary that will sell battery storage systems to utilities, industrial users and data centers.
Ford will repurpose idle lines in Glendale, Kentucky, from a canceled EV-battery plan, extending its shift after a $19.5 billion EV write-down and a renewed focus on hybrids.
A 13% stock jump followed the announcement, reflecting investor demand for higher-margin storage businesses backed by federal tax credits that still support commercial battery projects but not EV sales.
Data-center growth tied to AI is a key demand driver, as batteries can provide backup power, smooth large power swings and ease strain on local grids.
Ford joins a broader industry pivot: BloombergNEF counted 11 battery plants being retooled for storage in March, including eight in the US.
With EV dreams fading, are second-life batteries the key to automakers' survival and a greener grid?
Can retooled car factories truly satisfy the colossal energy appetite of the artificial intelligence boom?
As carmakers pivot to energy, are they prepared for the market volatility and grid complexities ahead?
Ford’s $2 Billion Energy Storage Gamble: Repurposing Factories for a New Era of U.S. Grid Infrastructure
Overview
Ford Motor Company is making a bold strategic shift by launching Ford Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary focused on grid-scale battery storage. By investing $2 billion and repurposing existing manufacturing assets, Ford aims to move beyond its traditional automotive business and tap into the growing demand for energy storage. Ford Energy is already preparing its manufacturing capacity for deliveries starting in late 2027. This move positions Ford to leverage its industrial strengths in a new market, signaling a major pivot from past market realities and setting the stage for long-term growth in the clean energy sector.