tech
January 15, 2026
Automakers like Ford and GM are jumping into a whole new business where Tesla is a serious player
Automakers Ford and GM are trying to figure out what to do with battery factories now that EV sales are falling way short of forecasts
TL;DR
- Automakers are repurposing EV battery factories for energy storage due to changing EV sales outlooks.
- Energy storage uses similar technology to EV batteries and addresses growing electricity demand.
- Tesla has been in the energy storage market for a decade, with its Energy division showing strong revenue.
- Ford is converting a Kentucky battery factory and plans residential storage production in Michigan.
- GM has launched GM Energy and products like the PowerBank, expanding its role in energy storage.
- Demand for energy storage is expected to surge from sectors like data centers, driven by electrification and increased electricity consumption.
- Challenges include market competition from established players and a potential skills gap in the workforce.
- Incentives for U.S. manufacturing, particularly avoiding Chinese technology, encourage domestic energy storage production.
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