Ford has detailed how it’ll support its forthcoming electric vehicle customers, claiming its Charging Solutions ecosystem will bring access to Europe’s largest public charging network.
Paving the way for its launch in late 2020 of an all-new, Mustang-inspired performance SUV with an anticipated WLTP range of 370 miles, the carmaker has said that customers will be able to use the FordPass app to locate, navigate to, pay for and monitor charging at more than 125,000 FordPass Charging Network locations in 21 countries.
“One of the biggest hold-ups for customers considering an electric vehicle has been the fear of running out of power or the inability to find a place to plug in,” said Ted Cannis, Ford’s director of global electrification. “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.”
The two-fold approach will see customers covered at home and on the road. Each Ford plug-in electric vehicle will come standard with a Ford Home Charge Cable, capable of charging regardless of power available at the home socket. Ford’s battery-electric vehicles can charge through a domestic power socket or through an optional wall-mounted Ford Connected Wallbox.
Meanwhile, in partnership with NewMotion and using connectivity delivered by the FordPass Connect on-board modem, customers will be able to utilise charging points across multiple markets from a single account for a simplified ownership experience. Ford also is a founder member and shareholder in the Ionity consortium that aims to build 400 high-power-charging stations in key European locations by end of 2020.
The FordPass mobile app enables drivers to remotely monitor their vehicle’s charge status, while drivers can also use FordPass Power My Trip trip planner, which takes into account a vehicle’s current state of charge and identifies the right charging points along a route while also identifying points of interest – such as restaurants or shopping centres – to make the most of a customer’s time while their vehicle is powering up.
Connected navigation functionality delivered by FordPass Connect will enable Ford customers in Europe to push pre-planned routes from their mobile phones or tablets directly to their electric vehicles over-the-air.
