In Automotive School? Learn About Ford’s New Battery Plant
In a bold and unprecedented move geared towards electrifying its vehicle lineup, Ford Motor Co. recently announced plans to invest $1.3 billion to transform its Oakville facility in Canada into a state-of-the-art battery plant. This significant investment showcases Ford’s commitment to leading the charge in the electric vehicle (EV) revolution and solidifies its position as a key player in the rapidly evolving automotive industry.
Batteries are the heart of electric vehicles, and their performance and durability directly impact the range, power, and overall driving experience of EVs. This is why so much attention is paid to studying and reviewing battery technology in automotive schools.
For students in auto mechanic training, we supply the facts about Ford’s new battery plant and how it impacts the Canadian EV scene.
About the Oakville Electric Vehicle Complex
Starting in the second quarter of 2024, Ford plans to retool and transform its Oakville factory in Ontario into an electric vehicle assembly plant. The manufacturing facility, presently used for producing gasoline-powered Edge and Lincoln Nautilus crossovers is set to transform and be rebranded as the Oakville Electric Vehicle Complex.
Alongside this rebranding, a battery assembly plant spanning an impressive 407,000 square feet will be incorporated into the complex. The batteries used in this plant will be sourced from Ford’s BlueOvalSK Battery Park situated in Kentucky.
In North America, this marks the first instance where Ford has fully revamped an existing plant exclusively for the production of electric vehicles. At the plant, many graduates of automotive school will undertake the task of assembling the various components into battery packs, which will subsequently be installed into the EVs manufactured on-site.
Ford’s Goals Moving Forward
Ford has set forth an ambitious objective for its transition towards electric-powered vehicles, outlining its plans to manufacture 600,000 EVs. This production rate is projected to rapidly escalate to two million EVs annually by around 2027. Ford aims to have EVs account for 50 per cent of its total sales by 2030.
Ford has not disclosed specific details regarding the EVs or the production volume planned for the Oakville factory. However, rumours have circulated suggesting that the company might manufacture the electric version of its Explorer SUV specifically for North American customers at this facility.
Notably, Ford recently introduced the Explorer EV for the European market, but information regarding its availability for customers in the United States has yet to be divulged. It is worth mentioning that the company ultimately abandoned an initial plan to produce the Explorer EV alongside the Mustang Mach-E in Cuautitlán, Mexico.
What This Means for Students in Automotive School
Ford’s plan is a welcome boost to the Canadian government’s EV mandate. Ford also expects the partnership between the company and Canada to position Ford as a global leader in the EV supply chain for decades to come.
More significantly for Canadian automotive technicians and other professionals in auto careers in the country, Ford’s plan is naturally expected to translate to more jobs for Canadian autoworkers, which will help breathe more life into the country’s thriving auto sector.
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