Ford wants to simplify EV charging with an app

Last updated on April 22nd, 2020 at 11:34 am

In anticipation of its new all-electric vehicles, Ford is expanding its network of chargers. Via the FordPass app, the company wants to offer its customers a way to locate, navigate to, pay for and monitor charging at more than 125,000 FordPass Charging Network locations.

This incentive will be available in 21 countries, where the manufacturer will also incentivise customers to get its Connected Wallbox, which can be used to charge an electrified Ford vehicle at home. The push towards more chargers is the result of customers' “fear of running out of power or the inability to find a place to plug in”, at least that's according to Ford’s director of global electrification, Ted Cannis. “By offering industry-leading charging access, including the largest network of public charging stations among any automaker, we are dismantling those barriers, allowing more customers to confidently enjoy the benefits of owning an electric vehicle” adds Cannis.

Thanks to a partnership with NewMotion, Ford can provide its customers with one of the largest and fastest-growing network of public chargers across Europe. Delivered through the FordPass app, customers can use it to find nearby charging points, remotely check on the vehicle's charge status and via ‘Power My Trip', customer can even use it to plan a journey – you'll be able to identify charging points along your planned route.

Additionally, the app will allow Ford customers to push over-the-air updates of their trip plans, which are on a phone or tablet, to their electric vehicle. Having the ability to plan your journey at home or at a coffee shop conveniently on a smartphone or tablet is one thing, but then to be able to send that information across to a vehicle truly simplifies the entire process.

It's worth knowing that Ford is a shareholder of the Ionity consortium – a company that's aim is to build 400 high-power charging (HPC) stations across Europe. These 350kW-enabled chargers could provide a full charge in around 20 minutes. However, Ford's upcoming all-electric Mustang-inspired SUV is set to accept up to a 150kW charge only, whereby a 10-minute charge will yield around 57 miles – it's tipped to have a total range of around 370 miles.

As for the company's home charging solution, Ford provides a standard cable to all of its new electrified customers. This makes it easier for those who would prefer to charge at home via a domestic power socket or better still, via Ford's Connected Wallbox that delivers five times the amount of power over a conventional wall charger.