See some of Ford’s Heritage vehicle collection in Dearborn
Ford Motor Co. shows some of its famous Heritage vehicle collection at the company’s headquarters building in Dearborn, Michigan.
- Ford Motor Co. has launched a new business segment called Ford Energy to produce battery energy storage systems.
- Lisa Drake, a Ford veteran with expertise in industrial systems, has been appointed president of the new division.
- The company will convert its Kentucky battery park to produce these systems for utilities and large businesses.
- Ford Energy will also supply smaller battery cells for residential energy storage solutions from its Michigan facility.
Ford Motor Co. has named a leader to its new business segment, Ford Energy, which will make battery energy storage systems in addition to making batteries for electric vehicles.
The Dearborn-based automaker said on Jan. 29 that Lisa Drake will be president of Ford Energy, effective immediately.
Drake will report to Ford’s Vice Chair John Lawler. She will launch the company’s battery energy storage systems business, which Ford announced in December when it outlined the ways it will be restructuring its business in 2026. At that time, Ford said it expected to start making the systems within the next 18 months.
Drake’s most recent job has been as vice president of Ford’s Technology Platform Programs and EV Systems. She has led the industrial plan for batteries and electric propulsion engineering. The automaker said her background in industrial manufacturing and purchasing will be critical to the new business’ operations, which combines Ford’s battery expertise and U.S. manufacturing footprint.
“Lisa has deep expertise in scaling complex industrial systems and securing critical supply chains,” Lawler said in a statement. “Her leadership is essential as we stand up Ford Energy to capture the growing demand for reliable battery energy storage that supports grid stability and resilience for utilities and large energy users.”
Ford’s plans for batteries
In December, Ford announced a series of changes to its business, including the foray into the battery storage systems business. Ford said it would record $19.5 billion in special charges related to restructuring its business to pull back its all-electric vehicle investments and shift resources to more hybrid and gasoline vehicles. Ford will take the majority of the $19.5 billion charges during the fourth quarter, which is expected to be released Feb. 10. That will be followed by $5.5 billion in cash to be charged through 2027, with Ford paying most of that chunk in 2026.
Drake told reporters in December that Ford will convert its BlueOval SK Battery Park in Glendale, Kentucky, from a facility producing batteries for EVs to one that makes battery energy storage systems. These systems are an energy storage solution for such customers as data centers, utilities and large-scale industrial and commercial businesses.
Drake said Ford studied the industry and can apply its manufacturing expertise and licensed advanced battery technology to start building the energy storage units within 18 months, positioning the company to capture a share of the growing U.S. battery energy storage systems market. Ford currently plans to deploy at least 20 GWh annually by late 2027. The move will allow Ford to use excess EV battery capacity at the facility to create a new, diversified and profitable revenue stream. Ford plans to invest roughly $2 billion in the next two years to scale the business there.
In Michigan, Ford’s BlueOval Battery Park Michigan in Marshall will produce smaller amp-hour cells for use in residential energy storage solutions. Ford said the facility remains on track to begin manufacturing LFP prismatic battery cells this year to power Ford’s upcoming midsize electric truck, to be built at Louisville Assembly Plant in Kentucky in 2027 and to be the first model on the new Universal EV Platform.
Leading Ford into a big market
In her new role, Drake is responsible for Ford Energy’s end-to-end operations from battery cell manufacturing, system assembly, and sales. Drake will focus on building the future leadership team as well to best capture what Ford calls a “high-growth market opportunity.”
“Ford Energy allows us to maximize the value of our battery manufacturing capabilities,” Drake said in a statement on Jan. 29. “We’re building a business focused first on utility-scale battery energy storage systems for large customers while also offering battery cells for residential energy storage solutions.”
Jamie L. LaReau is the senior autos writer for USA Today Co. who covers Ford Motor Co. for the Detroit Free Press. Contact Jamie at jlareau@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @jlareauan. To sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.
