Is the included charger not sufficient?

[rohankumar]

One other advantage of getting one of these smart chargers is you will have the ability to program your charge cycles and schedule them ahead of time. Basically you control your charging off your phone and be able to access a lot more data about your usage and costs. Most states have off peak utility rates for electricity and these smart chargers can be setup to charge the EV's preferentially during those time slots.

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[bshaw]

All great comments posted already. One more thing I'll add.

The Ford Mobile charger is helpful to keep in the car for any 120v (L1) charging you may need to use occasionally. I carry a 50ft extension cord, and was able to slow charge at a rental house over a long weekend when we weren't doing much driving.

 

[Maquis]

One other advantage of getting one of these smart chargers is you will have the ability to program your charge cycles and schedule them ahead of time. Basically you control your charging off your phone and be able to access a lot more data about your usage and costs. Most states have off peak utility rates for electricity and these smart chargers can be setup to charge the EV's preferentially during those time slots.

You can schedule charging when using the included FMC.

You are correct about better data visibility.

 

[sotek2345]

Only point I haven't seen raised is outdoor installations if you don't have a garage. The hardwired unit is going to be safer and hold up much longer than the mobile unit sitting out in the rain, snow, and ice.

 

[djjerv91]

I've read so many posts on here about different charging stations people have purchased for the Mach E and it's left me with the question as to whether or not the included charger is inadequate?

I've never had an EV and am patiently awaiting the arrival of mine this spring. I have an electrician coming to wire a 240 outlet and from what I can tell the included charger will give me adequate charging speed for my needs.

Is the only reason to go buy a different type gaining visibility on power draw from my meter or what else would I be getting?

Thanks in advance!

I've had the Mach E since early August and I have only used the mobile charger that came with the vehicle for my at-home charging. Had an electrician install a NEMA 14-50 outlet and that's all I've ever needed. There was only one time where the charging didn't start as expected but has been plenty enough for commuting needs. I don't really understand the hype around spending another 500+ bucks on a charger that does roughly the same thing the mobile charger does.

 

[tuminatr]

Thank you all for the replies. You brought up a great point I hadn't thought about as far as having a cord while travelling. I've been working from home for 2 years now almost and kind of forget what it's like to go anywhere of a significant distance.

I wish we had rebates like that! Will definitely keep my eye out for any new incentives.

I guess I will try the OEM unit and see how that goes before making that investment.

Thanks again!

If you don't already have a charging circuit installed I would advise putting one in that is a 50a. My electrition wanted to install a 40a circuit because that is all the portable charger needs but I had him put in a 50a to future proof. I did end up buying a Juicebox 40a and using the mobile charger as an emergency backup.

Also, My electrical company gives preferred rates ($ .028 per KWH off-peak) for EVs and it requires either the Juicebox or ChargePoint flex. Not sure if that's an option where you live but I would check.

 

[Accord07]

Cannot comment on the included mobile EVSE, which is still sitting in its packaging on the cargo floor, because I haven't had a 14-50 outlet to test it yet. Having an electrician install a 14-50 outlet would have cost nearly as much as the material cost to hard wire a ChargePoint (including the cost of the EVSE, plus wires, breaker, and conduit) based on the quotes I received. I ended up doing it myself.

On most days I don't have to charge during the day, but on the few occasions when I needed to top up in the middle of the day, the extra 16A from the ChargePoint came in handy. It also helps to fit my charging schedule within the 6-hour window after midnight when my utility charges the lowest rates. The car has logged 4,000 miles in 30 days of driving - technically we have had the car for 40 days but were out of town for 10 days.

 

[Mirak]

Carrying the mobile charger around in your car “for emergencies” is almost completely worthless. Really think about it. If you run out of charge away from home, you’re not gonna find a 240v outlet just sitting out in the wild. Which means you’re going to be plugging into 120v and adding about 3mi of range per hour. You’re better off calling a tow.

People install a dedicated charger for a couple basic reasons: it’s heavily subsidized in their state/municipality and/or they just want another nerdy toy. And that’s fine. But for everyone else, the “mobile charger” is perfectly sufficient. I leave mine plugged into the garage just like a dedicated unit.

 

[SyNRG]

We have a Clipper Creek from our previous PHEV (it now serves as a backup) and use the Ford Mobile Charger exclusively at home with no issues (wife does most of the charging at her work for free anyway).

 

[dbsb3233]

Carrying the mobile charger around in your car “for emergencies” is almost completely worthless. Really think about it. If you run out of charge away from home, you’re not gonna find a 240v outlet just sitting out in the wild. Which means you’re going to be plugging into 120v and adding about 3mi of range per hour. You’re better off calling a tow.

I agree the odds of ever needing it are slim. In 10,000 road trip miles, I've yet to need mine. It's more just for backup. I do have some road trip routes where an EA station is the only charger for 100 miles in either direction (thus pretty much do-or-die), with the only alternative (above 120V) being campgrounds with 240V. There do tend to be a lot of those. I've never needed to use one to add 50 miles so I can make the next DCFC, but I like having that security there just in case. Kinda like carrying a spare (donut) tire, I suppose.

 

[A76marine]

To recap, yes... the included charger is adequate.

If you want more power/flexibility/whatever then that's when people upgrade.

 

[dml105]

Thank you all for the replies. You brought up a great point I hadn't thought about as far as having a cord while travelling. I've been working from home for 2 years now almost and kind of forget what it's like to go anywhere of a significant distance.

My wife has always carried jumper cables in her car. I have never carried jumper cables. Neither of us has ever required jumper cables in our lifetimes.

The point is, carrying the mobile EVSE everywhere you go "just in case" is kind of silly in my opinion when it could be quite useful in your garage every day. So that's what I do: I keep the "mobile" charger plugged into my 240 V outlet in my garage at all times. I use DC fast chargers when on a trip. The only time I think I'd consider bringing my mobile EVSE with me is if I go to a vacation spot where there are limited charging facilities (like the Outer Banks), where I also expect that I will not be driving around very much once I get there. Other than that, the mobile EVSE stays on the wall at home.

 

[RickMachE]

Carrying the mobile charger around in your car “for emergencies” is almost completely worthless. Really think about it. If you run out of charge away from home, you’re not gonna find a 240v outlet just sitting out in the wild.

Every campground has 240v outlets.

 

[OH2AZ2OH]

6000 miles on mine, and I've been happily using the included charger the entire time. My commute is 25 miles a day, so I have no trouble topping up overnight, even if I skip a day or 4. If you drive 150 miles a day, then faster charging would useful.

I also live in a place (and there are many!) where my electricity supplier does not offer residential time of use plans. Given my usage, even if I was on a time of use plan, I would rely on the car's scheduling ability and probably charge more frequently.

I wonder how many of the "I want in the car in case of emergency" people have ever used it? I live in a small/medium city, and I can say with 100% certainty that it is easier to find a public charger than an available outdoor outlet. And more and more chargers are being installed every day.

Skip buying another charger for now. You'll be fine. If you find you have a need, then get one at that point.

 

[KevinS]

I carry mine in the car because, living in a rural area where we do, there have been situations where we're visiting relatives and it's nice to be able to plug in overnight to pick up a little bit more range. It's also a novelty for my relatives to know there's a car plugged in to their house (they drive a hybrid and would go electric but worry about range anxiety.)

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