Bunker Hill Technologies v. Ford Motor Co.: EV Patent Dispute Ends in Swift Settlement

Case Overview

The Parties

Patents at Issue (Detailed)

This dispute placed eight patents covering EV powertrain and AC power outlet technology at the center of an infringement action against a major automotive manufacturer at a pivotal moment in the industry’s electric vehicle transition:

• • US7960857B2 — EV powertrain control
• • US8487582B2 — Battery charging systems
• • US9809121B2 — AC power delivery systems
• • US9821668B2 — EV charging technology
• • US9914365B2 — Vehicle power management
• • US9975439B2 — Power conversion for EVs
• • US10442296B2 — Electric vehicle auxiliary power
• • US10604023B2 — Bidirectional power flow

The Verdict & Legal Analysis

Outcome

The Court granted the **Joint Motion to Dismiss** (Dkt. No. 18) on February 11, 2026. The dispositive language of the order is strategically significant: all claims by Bunker Hill against Ford were dismissed **WITH prejudice**, and any counterclaims by Ford against Bunker Hill were dismissed **WITHOUT prejudice**. This strong dismissal suggests the parties reached a private settlement agreement before any substantive litigation proceedings could unfold, with no damages figure publicly disclosed.

Key Legal Significance

While this dismissal carries no precedential value on the merits — no claim construction ruling, validity finding, or infringement determination was issued — it contributes meaningfully to the **behavioral data** surrounding NPE patent assertion in the EV technology sector. The case demonstrates that a well-constructed continuation patent portfolio covering maturing EV technologies retains substantial licensing leverage against Tier-1 automotive manufacturers, even absent trial-ready litigation posture.