Our journey to make charging stress-free

When I joined Ford Motor Company a little over a year ago, one of the questions I was asked most often was also one of the simplest: What most attracted you to the company?

My answer was equally straightforward: #Ford is innovative, agile and driven. These are exactly the qualities needed to deliver on its aim of leading the electric charge in Europe. I wanted to be a part of that exciting future.

During the past year, the achievements of my colleagues at Ford on our transformation journey have helped justify that belief many times – not least with a wave of #electricvehicle launches and announcements. Ten are now promised by 2024.

We are constantly innovating with services to help people connect, communities grow and businesses thrive. That means we’re not only introducing new products with the speed of a start-up – we’re delivering on the services and infrastructure to support those products too.

For example, just in time for the #holidayseason we’ve already reached 500,000 #charging points for electric vehicle customers across Europe. Easy access to public charging is crucial to our aim of offering only electric passenger vehicles in Europe by 2030, and only electric commercial vehicles from #FordPro in the region by 2035.

That’s why my Ford Model e team has been working so hard to consolidate a vast array of #chargepoint providers across more than 20 European markets into our BlueOval Charge Network.

Among those providers is IONITY – the high-power charging consortium of which Ford is a founding member. As a result, we’re able to offer discounted pricing across much of its network of 2,400 high-speed charge points at 500 strategic highway locations.

We are also making charging simpler, as well as faster. Drivers can access and pay for charging from hundreds of providers across Europe from a single account, using just our #FordPass app. And those enjoying our electric Mustang Mach-E and E-Transit van can use #plugandcharge capability to just plug in and walk away at a growing number of charging stations including the Ionity network. The charger recognises the vehicle and will bill you via the FordPass app when done. It’s effortless and the future of charging.

As more and more drivers make the jump to electric and tell their friends and family how easy and beneficial they have found it, many of the myths and concerns around electric vehicles are beginning to fade. The percentage of consumers who considered #rangeanxiety as a top-three barrier to EV ownership fell from 60 per cent to 50 per cent between 2022 and 2023, according to survey findings (1).

There’s still a way to go, but I truly believe we are playing an important role in changing attitudes.

At Ford, we pride ourselves on being a true American brand, uniquely woven into the fabric of Europe, with a pioneering, adventurous spirit. That’s evident in vehicles like our new electric #FordExplorer and our iconic #Mustang family including the electric #MustangMachE.

It’s also evident in our commitment to be at the forefront of positive industry change. That is key to delivering the freedom of movement that we believe goes hand-in-hand with looking after the planet and each other.

(1) https://shellrecharge.com/en-gb/solutions/knowledge-centre/reports-and-case-studies/ev-driver-survey-report