December 15, 2025, 9:46 PM EST. Ford is repurposing its Hardin County, Kentucky battery plant after SK On ended its partnership, shifting from EV batteries to battery energy storage systems (BESS). The facility will produce 5 MWh+LFP prismatic cells, BESS modules, and 20-foot DC container systems, with initial capacity online in 18 months and a target of at least 20 GWh annually by late 2027. Ford plans to invest about $2 billion over the next two years to scale the business, with a subsidiary owning and operating the site. The move aims to leverage currently underutilized EV capacity to create a new, diversified revenue stream for Ford. About 1,600 workers may be affected, with potential job transitions and new opportunities as the project advances.
