Ford Issues Stark Warning on EV Battery Jobs
Ford Motor Co. has intensified its efforts to safeguard clean energy manufacturing tax credits, cautioning that positions at its electric vehicle (EV) battery production facility in southwestern Michigan could be jeopardized. The automaker’s warning comes as Republicans in Congress are reportedly considering reductions to key subsidies enacted under President Donald Trump’s extensive economic legislation.
The planned $3 billion plant, situated in Marshall, Michigan – approximately 100 miles west of Detroit – is a critical component of Ford’s EV strategy. Upon commencing production in 2026, the facility is projected to manufacture 20 gigawatt-hours of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries annually and support a workforce of 1,700 people.
Currently under construction and spanning 2 million square feet, the Marshall site has faced notable political scrutiny since its 2023 announcement. A central point of contention has been Ford’s decision to license the battery manufacturing technology from China’s Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL), the world’s largest battery producer. Ford’s recent warning explicitly links the potential risk to these Michigan jobs not only to cuts in clean energy manufacturing subsidies but also highlights this risk in the context of the plant’s technological ties to China.
