BlueOval Charge Network?

[Maxx]

I have had my truck for a little less than two years. My understanding is that plug and charge was complementary for two years then it was extended for an additional year. However, when I log into my account I don't see an expiration date for BlueOval. Just a cancel service button. Am I being charged for the service? Or it is free indefinitely now?

On a side note, what is your SOP for public charging?

• Do you have P&C cancelled and just use Tesla and other Apps?
• Do you keep it on and try to activate with EA and Tesla app at a fast charger for a discount?
• Or just use plug and charge exclusively?

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[sdchris]

I believe there isn't a fee for using Blue Oval Plug and Charge. Ford likely earns a small referral commission each time it's used. Are you thinking of blue cruise? I think that was 2-3 years depending on what model car you purchased.

I normally plug and charge using EA even though I have a Tesla adapter. I don't enjoy fast charging and try to avoid it at all costs.

 

[Maxx]

I believe there isn't a fee for using Blue Oval Plug and Charge. Ford likely earns a small referral commission each time it's used. Are you thinking of blue cruise? I think that was 2-3 years depending on what model car you purchased.

I normally plug and charge using EA even though I have a Tesla adapter. I don't enjoy fast charging and try to avoid it at all costs.

Not Blue Cruise.

https://www.f150lightningforum.com/...-trial-extended-one-year-complimentary.15640/

Me2 on Fast Charging. I do it only when I run out of range on long distance trips. Which is not often. But I am trying to setup a process and stick with it for the occasional use. Superchargers seem to be available and functional on most of my potential traveling routs. SO I am thinking if there is no fee and downside, I keep the P&C on and feed the Tesla account for a discount before long trips and use P&C as a backup. But if keeping it on has resulted on folks getting double charged when they activate using local account, then I would cancel BlueOval.

 

[Mach Turtle]

We got complimentary charging for our Mach-E which lasted for three years or some number of kWh, whichever was used up first. Have you used more than a couple hundred blue kWh yet? Now that we're being charged, notifications show up in FordPass. As an early buyer, you probably have the same thing? Surely you'd know if you're being charged? There must be something hiding in Ford account information, 7 or 8 levels down in the menus.

SOP: We keep P&C on but try to activate with the EA app for a discount, if we've signed up for the EA membership thingy that month (only for rare months when we're going to be doing a lot of road trippin'). Haven't tried P&C Supercharging yet; we've used the Tesla app for getting Musk Oil.

I haven't seen any indication of double charging, but sometimes I've plugged in too early and paid full P&C price at EA instead of getting the discount by activating with the app and waiting just the right amount of time. Your plan of using apps with P&C as a backup sounds like a good one IMHO.

 

[Maxx]

We got complimentary charging for our Mach-E which lasted for three years or some number of kWh, whichever was used up first. Have you used more than a couple hundred blue kWh yet? Now that we're being charged, notifications show up in FordPass. As an early buyer, you probably have the same thing? Surely you'd know if you're being charged? There must be something hiding in Ford account information, 7 or 8 levels down in the menus.

So you are paying annual fee for P&C for Mach—E?

I used up my complementary juice. And have not looked at my credit card bills closely to see if I have been charged yet. I figured it has not been three years. I am just surprised there is no expiration date like their other services.

 

[davehu]

I'm not aware of any charge for using the blue oval network. I use it 'cause it works., especially using a Tesla FCDC.

 

[electricpig]

I have used P&C for both EA and Tesla. You are not double billed. You are billed the non-member rate for the site through your Ford account. You WIL NOT get a discounted price even if you are a member for a lower kwh rate. It has worked very well for me to date

 

[Mach Turtle]

So you are paying annual fee for P&C for Mach—E?
...

Oops, I must not have been clear. Not paying an annual fee for P&C, just the sometimes higher rates when using it instead of authorizing with an app before plugging in.

 

[Ffxdude]

I remember that too, they changed the program so it’s free now: https://www.f150lightningforum.com/...pass-vs-fordpass-plug-and-charge.11541/page-2

 

[Thunder1809]

I like that I can go to any EA or Tesla charger and just plug in and when I’m done I disconnect and drive away. I get an email from Ford Motor Company with the transaction statement. I only have charged a handful of times at fast chargers in the year and a half I have owned the lightning so I don’t worry about a subscription for a lower rate. I went and tested my Ford adaptor yesterday at a Tesla charger and it was seamless; had an email before I left with my bill from Ford.

 

[Ffxdude]

I like that I can go to any EA or Tesla charger and just plug in and when I’m done I disconnect and drive away. I get an email from Ford Motor Company with the transaction statement. I only have charged a handful of times at fast chargers in the year and a half I have owned the lightning so I don’t worry about a subscription for a lower rate. I went and tested my Ford adaptor yesterday at a Tesla charger and it was seamless; had an email before I left with my bill from Ford.

Very true the convenience is nice. I use the plug and charge when I'm not planning on multiple road trips in a month, but the more you use DCFC the more you save with the memberships and it's worth the extra effort. I also wish that when it was billed through Ford it would show up in the 4% charging category for the Costco city card.

 

[hturnerfamily]

- BlueOval Network is simply Ford's 'branding' of the DC Fast Charger brands that they have a direct 'BILLING' process thru... meaning that you can use your Ford Pass APP, or the truck's CHARGE APP onscreen, to ACTIVATE and Initiate a charge. Ford then bills you directly, NOT the charge provider.

- PLUG N CHARGE is totally different, and separate, as a benefit/function. It is ONLY currently available with either ElectrifyAmerica OR Tesla Superchargers. You simply 'plug in' and it takes care of the rest. No app needed. No screen to worry with. It just goes.

- EA 'free' charging KWH provided by FORD is simply a way to initiate you into DC Fast Charging, at ElectrifyAmerica only, of course. Use PLUG N Charge, or use the Ford Pass App, or the truck's CHARGE APP onscreen, or the EA app. When you've used your 250 'free' kwh, you'll then be billed by Ford, unless you use a direct app, such as from EA, Chargepoint, etc.

After 50,000 miles and over 2 years since August 23, 2022, I see nothing that shows that PLUG N CHARGE or the use of the FORD BLUE OVAL NETWORK has any costs, nor should it.
-The BlueOval Network is simply Ford providing BILLING/Payment for your charging.
-Plug N Charge is simply the convenience of software interactions between the vehicle and charge initiation.

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