BlueOval SK, a joint venture between Korea’s SK On and U.S. automaker Ford, officially launched commercial production of EV batteries at its new Kentucky facility in Glendale on Tuesday.
Established in July 2022, the equally owned joint venture has committed to invest $11.4 billion in three EV battery facilities across the U.S.—two in Kentucky and one in Tennessee.
“The start of production is a significant milestone that strengthens our position in the EV battery market. BlueOval SK is creating good-paying American jobs, strengthening the domestic supply chain, and driving the transition to zero-emissions transportation,” said BlueOval SK CEO Michael Adams.
According to BlueOval SK, the batteries produced at the facility will be used to power Ford’s all-electric pickup, the F-150 Lightning, and E-Transit commercial vans.
BlueOval SK started building the Kentucky facility toward the end of 2022, with commercial operations kicking off in August 2025.
The Kentucky site includes two battery facilities, though the second has been delayed. A third BlueOval SK battery plant is located within the BlueOval City campus in Stanton, Tennessee, which will also house Ford’s EV assembly plant for its upcoming full-size electric pickup. While the vehicle program has been pushed back to 2028 due to shifting customer demand, BlueOval SK now plans to begin battery production at the Tennessee site in 2027.
According to The Detroit News, the $5.8 billion Kentucky site currently employs over 1,450 workers, with staffing expected to reach 5,000 at full capacity, as noted in a BlueOval SK newsletter.
In addition, SK On operates two fully owned battery manufacturing facilities in Georgia and will launch a third plant in partnership with Hyundai Motor Group, with production expected to begin in 2026.
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