Ford has embarked on the largest ever, single US investment in electric vehicles (EVs) by an automotive manufacturer. BlueOval City and BlueOval SK Battery Park will play a major role in transitioning North America to EVs and a sustainable transport future.
KEY INFORMATION
Location: Tennessee and Kentucky, United States
Date started: 2021
Completion date: ongoing
Client type: real estate
Main capabilities: cost and commercial management, project management
Driving America’s transition to electric vehicles
Currently under construction on 3,600 acres outside Memphis, BlueOval City is Ford’s latest mega campus dedicated to EV manufacturing. Aiming to use 100 percent renewable energy, recycled water and deliver zero waste-to-landfill when operational, the project is at the heart of the company’s mission to manufacture zero-emission EVs at scale for American customers.
BlueOval SK Battery Park, underway on a 1,500 acre site in central Kentucky, consists of two advanced lithium-ion battery plants that will power a new line up of Ford and Lincoln EVs. Combined, they will create the largest EV battery manufacturing plant in the world. BlueOval City and BlueOval SK Battery Park are scheduled to be operational in 2025.
Delivering commercial assurance and savings
We were appointed to safeguard Ford’s commercial interests throughout the two projects’ lifecycles - from concept design to hand-over and close out. We have accomplished this through a combination of procurement package reviews which established fair base costs, plus change-management costs. Having achieved US$188m in savings to date, we continue to provide innovative solutions and technical guidance for resolving design queries resolution and site issues, ensuring efficient integration of building construction works and equipment installation.
Working with the client and contract team, we are capturing and recording cost data to benchmark for future schemes, supporting Ford’s ongoing journey towards net zero.
Underpinning Ford’s vision and delivering jobs
Through the combined Blue Oval projects, Ford has set out to reimagine how EVs and batteries are designed, built and recycled. Together, they represent a US$11.4bn investment by Ford and joint venture partner SK to bring a new generation of advanced EVs to the US market.
The projects will create nearly 11,000 new jobs, including nearly 6,000 in Tennessee and 5,000 in Kentucky. Our work underpins the realisation of Ford’s vision to build the largest, most advanced auto production complex in its 120-year history.
Tim Riedl, Ford Project Lead Kentucky, Ford Motor Company, said:
I am very satisfied with Turner & Townsend’s service. They are excellent and have exceeded my expectations.
"The team's leadership and structure have been highly effective in creating successful outcomes.”
