FRANKFURT, Germany, May 21, 2024 – Ford Pro is simplifying electrification for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Europe with a new all-in-one home charging solution for its growing line-up of electric vans.
The offering is the latest service to join the company’s digital and physical platform of vehicles, charging, software, servicing and finance designed to help businesses reduce their cost of ownership, work more effectively, and simplify the transition to electric vehicles.
Ford Pro has designed its new home charging solution to benefit time-poor SMEs who do not operate from a central depot or employ full-time fleet managers. Drivers can recharge their electric vans (EVs) at home between shifts using a connected Ford Pro Home Charger, which Ford Pro will also install, maintain and guarantee with a five-year warranty.
To help reduce energy costs, Ford Pro charging software enables users to schedule charging to maximise the use of off-peak energy tariffs. The home charging solution also integrates with Ford Pro Telematics 1 to simplify driver reimbursement and compliance for office-based staff. This means large fleets with drivers who park at home overnight can also integrate the new home charging service into their operations.
“This smart new home charging solution designed around business needs strengthens our products and services ecosystem, and will help reduce paperwork and costs for our customers, support their electrification journey, and accelerate their productivity,” said Hans Schep, general manager, Ford Pro, Europe.
Ford Pro is launching home charging in the UK during summer 2024 in line with availability of its E‑Transit Custom electric van, 2 and will then extend the service to major European markets.
Simplifying electrification for small businesses
To support business customers who charge overnight at home, Ford Pro’s home charging solution includes expert consultation and training, installation and maintenance of a Ford Pro Home Charger, as well as software to make planning and paying for charging easy.
Dedicated Ford Pro Charging Software enables users to schedule charging during cheaper overnight tariffs where available to help reduce cost of ownership. E-Transit Custom’s 11kW AC three-phase onboard charger is capable of fully recharging the battery in 6.7 hours, 3 so customers will comfortably be able to recharge overnight.
Businesses with multiple drivers charging at home can use Ford Pro Telematics 1 software to easily track energy use across their fleets, and can view reimbursement due for each driver using a set rate per kWh. The system also provides central control of Remote Pre‑Conditioning to warm or cool the battery and cab while on charge to optimise driving range, and displays alerts if a vehicle is not charging when it should be. Staff can also check vehicle health data and state of charge via Ford Pro Telematics Drive – the companion app to Ford Pro Telematics 1 – or FordPass, 4 if they operate a single vehicle.
As some SMEs use their work van as a personal vehicle, Ford Pro offers comprehensive public charging support for longer trips. E‑Transit Custom supports DC fast charging up to 125kW for a 10-80 per cent recharge in about 39 minutes. 3 A new charge profile front-loads energy to enable quick, useful top-ups; in lab testing, the system delivered 50 miles (82km) of range in just 10 minutes. 3 Every E‑Transit Custom is sold with a 12-month complimentary subscription to access over 600,000 public charging points across Europe 5 via the BlueOval Charge Network.
Whether a van is recharged overnight at a driver’s home, in a depot with a bespoke Ford Pro depot charging solution, or on longer trips using the BlueOval Charging Network, Ford Pro reduces paperwork with centralised payments and reimbursement.
Beyond charging, Ford Pro also offers a range of services to help increase SMEs’ productivity and simplify vehicle management.
Ford Pro Telematics 1 is designed to support SMEs with a small fleet and a single administrator who needs oversight of the whole business. The system displays data from multiple vehicles on intuitive dashboards to help operators keep on top of their vehicles’ charging, health, security and running performance and manage these costs. Operators can also prevent unauthorised van use after hours with Fleet Start Inhibit. Away from the office, drivers can replace paper-based daily checklists and notes with the Ford Pro Telematics Drive companion app, which can share live updates and images to the desktop telematics system.
The FordPass phone app 4 is designed to suit owner-drivers who use a single vehicle and enables them to check their charge level, find and pay for nearby BlueOval Charge Network chargers, and remotely lock and unlock the van.
Customers can improve vehicle uptime via Ford Pro Service’s FORDLiive connected uptime system. With the 5G modem enabled, 6 E-Transit Custom constantly monitors its health and can share over 3,200 vehicle health notifications, as well as information on action required, which customers receive through FordPass 4 or Ford Pro Telematics. 1 Customers can then schedule a dealership or Mobile Service visit at their convenience to resolve the issue before it potentially causes a more disruptive problem that would take the vehicle out of service.
Last year, FORDLiive prevented 700,000 days of downtime worth around €320 million to customers.
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1 Ford Pro Telematics is available complimentary for one year from the warranty start date, and then on a subscription basis, subject to agreement to Ford Smart Mobility terms and conditions, and provides a comprehensive suite of features in addition to vehicle health including location and mapping, driving behaviour, fuel/energy usage, multi-make capabilities and a companion app for drivers to interface with fleet managers. Fleet customers can contact the Ford Pro Software Command Centre at softwaresolutions@fordpro.com for information about these Ford Telematics products. Data availability subject to data connectivity and access to vehicle data.
2 Up to 337 km driving range based on full charge of E-Transit Custom. Estimated range using Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP). Figures shown are for comparability purposes and should only be compared with other vehicles tested to the same technical procedures. Actual range varies due to factors such as temperature, driving behaviour, route profile, vehicle maintenance, lithium-ion battery age and condition.
3 Figures given are based on E-Transit Custom. Actual charge times and charging speeds will vary according to the type of home or public charging station used, as well as other factors (including weather, ambient temperature, driving behaviour, driving profile, vehicle condition, lithium-ion battery age, condition, and temperature).
4 FordPass App, compatible with select smartphone platforms, is available via a download. Message and data rates may apply.
5 Number of charge points across 36 European countries.
6 Connected service and features depend on network availability and compatible plan. 5G not available everywhere. Evolving technology/cellular networks/vehicle capability may limit functionality and prevent operation of connected features. Connected service excludes Wi-Fi hotspot. Available Wi-Fi hotspot requires separate subscription.
